Limiting reactors affecting the rate of photosynthesis

What is the rate of photosynthesis affected by?

Light intensity

What is a limiting factor?

A factor that stops photosynthesis from happening any faster

What effects the light intensity?

Time of the day

What effects the temperature?

Time of the year

What effects the concentration of CO2?

If it's warm and bright enough

How can chlorophyll be a limiting factor of photosynthesis?

The amount of chlorophyll in a plant can be affected by disease (TMV) or environmental stress (lack of nutrients). These factors can cause chloroplasts to become damaged or to not make enough chlorophyll.

How does light intensity affect the rate of photosynthesis?

• Light provides energy for photosynthesis
• As light level is raised

How do you measure light intensity?

With a light meter

How does CO2 affect the rate of photosynthesis?

• CO2 is one of the raw materials needed for photosynthesis
• As CO2 level is raised

How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

• Usually if temperature is the limiting factor it's because it's too low - the enzymes needed for photosynthesis work more slowly at low temperature
• If the plant gets too hot

What temperature denatures enzymes of plants?

45°C