Photosynthesis factors

• Factors affecting photosynthesis

  • Light intensity
  • Temperature
  • Concentration of carbon dioxide in the air
  • Amount of chlorophyll in plants
• Chlorophyll

  Pigment within chloroplasts that absorbs the light energy needed for photosynthesis
• Plants have less chlorophyll


  They won't be able to carry out as much photosynthesis
• Different plants naturally have different amounts of chlorophyll
• The level of chlorophyll within an individual plant can vary due to disease, environmental stress, or lack of nutrients like water
• Factors normally referred to as limiting factors for photosynthesis are light, carbon dioxide, and temperature
• Graphing factors affecting photosynthesis

  1. Plot light intensity on x-axis, rate of photosynthesis on y-axis

  2. As light intensity increases, rate of photosynthesis increases up to a point where it plateaus

  3. This plateau means another factor is now limiting, such as carbon dioxide or temperature
• Graphing carbon dioxide effect on photosynthesis

  Rate of photosynthesis increases with carbon dioxide concentration up to a plateau
• Graphing temperature effect on photosynthesis

  Rate increases initially as enzymes work faster, then decreases as enzymes denature at higher temperatures
• Graphs can show multiple limiting factors by comparing curves at different conditions
• Farmers can artificially create conditions for high photosynthesis rates, e.g. using greenhouses, artificial lighting, carbon dioxide injection, and fertilizers
• Providing optimal conditions for photosynthesis can be costly for farmers, so they have to weigh the extra costs against the expected yield increase