(5 points) Let’s take it one step further! Use the data chart below to answer the following question.
Light intensity (%) O2 produced (mL/h)
30 8.8
40 26.1
50 31.3
60 31.3
The data above was collected during an Elodea observation. Notice what happens to the oxygen produced at light intensities of 50% or higher. Everything has its limits, even chemical reactions! Think about a powerful race car. If you give it more fuel and better tires, it can go very fast. But, eventually, its speed will top out due to the limitations of the motor. Even if you kept adding fuel and tires, it couldn’t go any faster. Explain how the data in this experiment suggests there is a maximum photosynthetic rate. Be sure to discuss the reactants and products in your answer.

Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants synthesize their food (sugar) from carbon dioxide and water in the presence of sunlight and chlorophyll. Oxygen is released as the byproduct of this process.

In the given experiment, the amount of oxygen produced is taken as the measure of photosynthetic rate.

The rate of photosynthesis is directly proportional to the intensity of light. However, after reaching the maximum rate increase in light intensity also fails to increase it further.

It might be because of the limitations of other factors.

In addition, further increase in light intensity can damage the photo-systems which will results in sharp decrease in photosynthetic rate.

Observations also show that even after increasing the light intensity from 50% to 60%, the oxygen production remains the same i.e. 31.3 ml/h.