Photosynthesis

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List the three limiting factors that can affect photosynthesis:

Light intensity, level of CO2, and temperature.

Hypothesis for limiting factor (light intensity)

As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases until the rate of photosynthesis plateaus, because increasing light intensity increases the activation energy available for photosynthesis.

Hypothesis for limiting factor (level of CO2)

As carbon dioxide concentration increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases until the rate of photosynthesis plateaus, because increasing carbon dioxide concentration increases the availability of the substrate CO₂ and the number of collisions with enzymes.

Hypothesis for limiting factor (temperature)

Increasing temperature causes an increase in the rate of photosynthesis, as faster-moving particles are more likely to collide with the active sites of enzymes involved in photosynthesis.

What results in a plateau

The plateau is a result of another limiting factor preventing any further increase in photosynthesis.