unit 7.3 - investigating photosynthesis and limiting factors

what is a limiting factor

a factor in the environment that is limiting the rate of reaction

what are the limiting factors of photosynthesis

1. light intensity

2. the amount of carbon dioxide available to the plant

3. temperature of surrounding environment

what happens with photosynthesis at night

the amount of energy absorbed by the chlorophyll desreases and the rate of photosynthesis falls

what happens with photosynthesis during the day

at a certain point the chlorophyll cannot accept anymore light

how does carbon dioxide affect photosynthesis

if the carbon dioxide concentration increases then so does the rate of photosynthesis

how does temperature affect photosynthesis

an increase in temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis

will increase until the optimum temperature

• after that the enzymes will start to denature

what is a compensation point

when the rate of photosynthesis is equal to the rate of cellular respiration

what are other ways to test the rate of photosynthesis

1. glucose production

2. CO₂ production

3. oxygen production

how can glucose production be used to test the rate of photosynthesis

by measuring and comparing the before and after dry mass of a plant

how can carbon dioxide production be used to test the rate of photosynthesis

as CO₂ in a solution is used up the pH will increase → measure pH or use a CO₂ probe

how can oxygen production be used to test the rate of photosynthesis

aquatic plants release O₂ into the water → count the number of oxygen bubbles produced