Question

Calculate the rate of photosynthesis (mm/hr) for Elodea if when measuring net photosynthesis, the water level moved up 3 mm from the initial level in 20 min, and when measuring cellular respiration it took 15 minutes for the water level to move down 1 mm.

Answer 1

Answer:

The rate of photosynthesis is 13 mm/hr

Explanation:

The rate of net photosynthesis is given by;

rate of net photosynthesis = 3 mm / 20 min = 1.5 mm/ 10 min

The rate of  cellular respiration is given by;

rate of cellular respiration = 1 mm / 15 min = 0.667 mm / 10 min

The rate of photosynthesis is given by;

rate of photosynthesis = rate of net photosynthesis + rate of cellular respiration

rate of photosynthesis = 1.5 mm/ 10 min + 0.667 mm / 10 min

rate of photosynthesis =2.167 mm/ 10 min

$rate \ of \ photosynthesis \ in \ mm/hr = \frac{2.167 \ mm}{10 \ min} *\frac{60 \ min}{1 \ hr} = 13 \ mm/hr$

Therefore, the rate of photosynthesis is 13 mm/hr