Limiting Factors

• In low levels of carbon dioxide, the rate of photosynthesis is low. If carbon dioxide levels are increased, there is more available for the carboxylation of RuBP in the light-independent stage, allowing more glycerate phosphate to be formed
• If light intensity is limiting, it affects the amount of ATP and NADPH produced in the light-dependent stage in photosynthesis

  light intensity may be limiting when it is:

  1. Dusk
  2. Dawn
  3. Cloudy
• If temperature is increased to an optimum, the enzyme catalysed reactions of the light-dependent stage will occur at a faster rate

  temperature is a limiting factor at low levels, but also at extremely high levels as enzymes become denatured
• If water is in short supply, the stomata will close in order to reduce water loss.

  The plant will wilt and the orientation of the leaves will change, reducing incident solar reaction, therefore reactions will slow down