Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis

• What do plants need to carry out photosynthesis?

  Light, carbon dioxide, temperature, chlorophyll
• How does chlorophyll affect photosynthesis?

  Less chlorophyll means less photosynthesis
• What can cause variations in chlorophyll levels in plants?

  Disease, environmental stress, lack of nutrients
• What are the limiting factors for photosynthesis?

  Light, carbon dioxide, temperature
• What does the x-axis represent in photosynthesis graphs?

  Light intensity, carbon dioxide, temperature
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis as light intensity increases?

  The rate of photosynthesis increases
• What does it mean when the graph of photosynthesis plateaus?

  Another factor is limiting photosynthesis
• How does carbon dioxide concentration affect photosynthesis?

  Higher concentration increases the rate
• What happens to the rate of photosynthesis when carbon dioxide is plentiful?

  Another factor becomes limiting
• How does temperature initially affect the rate of photosynthesis?

  The rate increases as temperature rises
• What happens to enzymes involved in photosynthesis at high temperatures?

  They begin to denature and stop working
• At what temperature are enzymes fully denatured?

  About 45 degrees Celsius
• What does a graph with two curves represent in photosynthesis experiments?

  Different experiments with varying conditions
• How can comparing two curves on a graph indicate a limiting factor?

  It shows which condition affects photosynthesis
• What can farmers do to create optimal conditions for photosynthesis?

  Use greenhouses, artificial light, and CO2
• Why do farmers use greenhouses?

  To trap heat and increase temperature
• How can farmers provide artificial light?

  To continue photosynthesis day and night
• What is a benefit of using a paraffin heater in greenhouses?

  It releases heat and carbon dioxide
• What are the main factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis?

  • Light intensity
  • Carbon dioxide concentration
  • Temperature
  • Chlorophyll levels
• How do limiting factors interact in photosynthesis?

  • One factor limits the rate when others are sufficient
  • Graphs can show multiple limiting factors
  • Changes in one factor can reveal the limiting factor
• Factor graphs