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Climate change is an alarming problem.
However, the extent of its effect is often over looked.
The increased level of green house gasses is causing plants to evolve.
I explored how climate change is affecting sunlight
being passed through the atmosphere and used by plants,
the source of all food on earth.
In achieving this,
I investigated the action spectrum of Morning Glory
and its corresponding rate of photosynthesis, with the question:
How does anthropogenic-induced climate change
influence the evolution of Morning Glory’s action spectrum
and its ability to photosynthesize?
This project could be separated into 4 experiments:
Firstly, I investigating the type of plant suitable for the project
and found that Morning Glory is the best candidate.
In the 2nd and 3rd experiment,
I tested the rate of photosynthesis of different colored leaves
under sunlight and artificial light
by cutting a section of leaf and measuring the amount of time required
for the leaf to produce enough oxygen
to float on the surface of a solution.
Finally, I determined each leaf’s action spectrum with a colorimeter
Throughout these four experiments,
the overarching independent variable is the variegated leaves.
While the dependent variable is the rate of photosynthesis.
I also have various control variables
Some of these are using the same source and concentration of carbon.
Moreover, I also used the same source and specie of plant.
Light intensity is also recorded.
The results showed that climate change
is affecting the wavelengths plants can absorb.
Green house gasses prevents longer wavelengths,
like infrared and red light
to enter the atmosphere.
The data suggests that plants may be evolving
in response to a diminished availability of red and infrared light
by compensating with an increased ability to absorb blue light.
By understanding the problem,
we can help mitigate the affect climate change has on plants.
Like genetically modifying crops to better perform in this new climate.
Or simply to raise awareness
of the impact climate change has on living organisms
we tremendously depend on.