Question

Considering your analysis of each of the questions above, write an improved experimental design to test the hypothesis “If blue light is more effective at promoting photosynthesis, then more oxygen gas (O2) will be produced when plants are exposed to blue-filtered light compared to other wavelengths.”

Answer 1

In order to check the efficacy of blue-light to generate oxygen, following set up of experiments can be performed:

1. Take two healthy plants, and separately place them in two chambers.
2. One chamber receives only blue light whereas the other chamber receives normal light.
3. Install a high-sensitivity oxygen-sensor in both chambers.
4. Allow the plants to grow for some time, say 24 hours to 72 hours.
5. Measure othe total oxygen content released by each plant after fixed periods of time, i.e. 24, 38 and 72 hours.
6. Graphically represent the two quantitative data to compare.

Using these simple experimental steps, the efficacy of blue light to generate oxygen can be compared to normal light.