Limiting Factors

• Photosynthesis


  Process where light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll and used to react carbon dioxide with water to make the sugar glucose, with oxygen as a product
• Photosynthesis


  1. Light energy absorbed by chlorophyll

  2. React carbon dioxide with water

  3. Make sugar glucose

  4. Oxygen produced
• Limiting factors in photosynthesis

  • Light intensity
  • Carbon dioxide concentration
  • Temperature
  • Amount of chlorophyll in leaves
• Light intensity increases


  Rate of photosynthesis increases
• Light intensity is the limiting factor


  Rate of photosynthesis is limited by light intensity
• Carbon dioxide concentration increases

  Rate of photosynthesis increases
• Carbon dioxide concentration is the limiting factor


  Rate of photosynthesis is limited by carbon dioxide concentration
• Temperature increases


  Rate of photosynthesis increases
• Temperature is the limiting factor


  Rate of photosynthesis is limited by temperature
• Enzymes in leaf denature at high temperatures

  Rate of photosynthesis falls
• Greenhouses


  • Farmers use them to increase the rate of photosynthesis
  • Provide extra light and heat
  • Add extra carbon dioxide
• The extra cost of using greenhouses has to be justified by the increase in crop yield