Rate of Photosynthesis

• What factors affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  Temperature, light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, and amount of chlorophyll.
• How does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  It increases the rate until enzymes begin to denature.
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis as light intensity increases?

  It generally increases.
• Why is chlorophyll essential for photosynthesis?

  It converts light energy to food for the plant.
• How can you measure the rate of photosynthesis in a plant?

  By measuring the oxygen production of a plant.
• What is the setup for measuring oxygen production in pondweed?

  A test tube with water, sealed with a bung, and a capillary tube attached.
• What does the distance the oxygen bubble moves indicate?

  The volume of oxygen produced.
• Why is it important to control all factors except the independent variable in an experiment?

  To ensure a valid experiment.
• What is a limiting factor in photosynthesis?

  An environmental condition that restricts the rate of photosynthesis.
• How can you identify a graph with one limiting factor?

  It has one line that levels off.
• What does a graph with two lines represent?

  Two limiting factors in two experiments.
• How does light intensity relate to distance from the light source?

  Light intensity decreases as distance increases.
• What is the inverse square law in relation to light intensity?

  Light intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance.
• If a lamp is 2 meters away from a plant, what is the light intensity compared to its original value?

  It is a quarter of its original value.
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when carbon dioxide concentration increases? 


  The rate of reaction increases
• What is chlorophyl?


  green pigment that converts light energy to food for the plant and is essential
• What happens when the chlorophyll levels in a plant are reduced?


  The rate of photosynthesis would decrease
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when carbon dioxide concentration increases?


  It increases, in the graph the line starts off as steep however after the concentration reaches a certain concentration the rate of photosynthesis no longer increases

  
• What happens to rate of reaction when temperature increases?


  As temperature rises, photosynthesis increases until it reaches an optimal point, after which too much heat causes the rate to drop, indicating there's a best temperature range for effective photosynthesis.

  
• What happens to the rate of reaction when the light intensity increases?


  As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis also increases until it reaches a saturation point, after which further increases in light do not significantly enhance the rate.