limiting factors

limiting factors of photosynthesis

light, temp and carbon dioxide

what is a limiting factor?

a variable that can slow down the rate of a reaction (increasing the levels of other variables will not increase the rate)

why is light intensity a limiting factor of photosynthesis?

light is needed for the LDR to produce ATP + NADPH

why is carbon dioxide a limiting factor of photosynthesis?

carbon dioxide combines with RuBP in LIR

why is temp a limiting factor of photosynthesis?

- temp too high denatures enzymes (e.g. rubisco) and alters the tertiary structure of proteins
- temp too low, too little kinetic energy for successful e-s collisions

what happens at the compensation point?

- no net exchange of gases from the plant
- rate of carbon dioxide used and oxygen produced by photosynthesis is equal to the rate of oxygen used and carbon dioxide produced by respiration

gross

the total amount, before anything is deducted

net

the amount, after deductions have been made

how do you calculate the net rate of photosynthesis?

gross photosynthesis - respiration