Now that the lab is complete, it is time to write your lab report. The purpose of this guide is to help you write a clear and concise report that summarizes the lab you have just completed.

The lab report is composed of two sections:
Section I: Overview of Investigation
Provide background information.
Summarize the procedure.

Section II: Observations and Conclusions
Include any charts, tables, or drawings required by your teacher.
Include answers to follow-up questions.
Explain how the investigation could be improved.

To help you write your lab report, you will first answer the four questions listed below based on the lab that you have just completed. Then you will use the answers to these questions to write the lab report that you will turn in to your teacher.
You can upload your completed report with the upload tool in formats such as OpenOffice.org, Microsoft Word, or PDF. Alternatively, your teacher may ask you to turn in a paper copy of your report or use a web-based writing tool.
Questions

Section I: Overview of Lab
What is the purpose of the lab?

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Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

Lab Report Guide

Descriptive Lab Report Guide


What procedure did you use to complete the lab?
Outline the steps of the procedure in full sentences.

Section II: Observations and Conclusions
What charts, tables, or drawings would clearly show what you have learned in this lab?
Each chart, table, or drawing should have the following items:
An appropriate title
Appropriate labels

Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.
Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

Lab Report Guide

Descriptive Lab Report Guide



If you could repeat the lab and make it better, what would you do differently and why?
There are always ways that labs can be improved. Now that you are a veteran of this lab and have experience with the procedure, offer some advice to the next scientist about what you suggest and why. Your answer should be at least two to three sentences in length.

Writing the Lab Report

Now you will use your answers from the four questions above to write your lab report. Follow the directions below.

Section I: Overview of Lab
Use your answers from questions 1 and 2 as the basis for the first section of your lab report. This section provides your reader with background information about why you conducted this lab and how it was completed. It should be one to two paragraphs in length.

Section II: Observations and Conclusions
Use your answers from questions 3 and 4 as the basis for the second section of your lab report. This section provides your reader with charts, tables, or drawings from the lab. You also need to include answers to the follow-

Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.
Copyright © Edgenuity Inc.

Lab Report Guide

Descriptive Lab Report Guide


up questions and ways in which you would improve the lab.

Overall
When complete, the lab report should be read as a coherent whole. Make sure you connect different pieces with relevant transitions. Review for proper grammar, spelling, punctuation, formatting, and other conventions of organization and good writing.

1 answer

Lab Report

Section I: Overview of Investigation

The purpose of this lab was to investigate the effect of different light conditions on the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants, specifically Elodea. Understanding how light intensity influences photosynthesis is crucial for comprehending plant growth and ecosystem dynamics. The primary objective was to determine the correlation between varying light levels and the amount of oxygen produced by the plant, which serves as a proxy for photosynthetic activity.

To carry out the experiment, we first set up several beakers filled with equal amounts of water and Elodea cuttings. We then placed each beaker at different distances from a light source, creating varying light intensities. Over a set time period, we observed the rate of oxygen production, which was indicated by the number of oxygen bubbles released from the plant. After taking measurements at each distance, we compiled the data and analyzed it to draw conclusions about the relationship between light intensity and photosynthesis.

Section II: Observations and Conclusions

To effectively summarize our findings, I created a table titled "Effects of Light Intensity on Photosynthesis Rate," which includes columns for the distance of the beaker from the light source, the estimated light intensity, and the average number of bubbles produced per minute. Each column is appropriately labeled to reflect the relevant information, providing a clear and concise representation of the collected data.

| Distance from Light Source (cm) | Estimated Light Intensity (lux) | Average Bubbles per Minute | |-----------------------------------|----------------------------------|----------------------------| | 10 | 1000 | 30 | | 20 | 500 | 20 | | 30 | 250 | 10 | | 40 | 100 | 5 |

If I could repeat the lab, I would consider using a more precise method to measure light intensity rather than relying on estimated values. Additionally, I could increase the duration of the experiment to gather more data, allowing for a better understanding of any long-term trends in photosynthesis across various light conditions. These changes would help refine the results and enhance the overall accuracy of the conclusions drawn from the investigation.

In conclusion, this lab provided valuable insight into the influence of light on photosynthesis, revealing trends that underscore the importance of light availability for plant growth and productivity.