Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

What is the word equation for photosynthesis? What does rate of photosynthesis mean? How might we measure it? What might affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Factors Affecting the Rate of Photosynthesis

1. Temperature
Photosynthesis is actually a complex chain of reactions, all catalysed by enzymes. Below 0oC no photosynthesis will be possible as the water in the plant will be frozen. As the temperature increases from 0oC, the rate of reaction will initially increase in direct proportion to the rate of increase in temperature as the molecules in the reaction move faster, collide more and have more energy for their collisions. However if the temperature gets too high, then the enzymes will change shape and no longer work: they are denatured and so the rate of reaction will rapidly fall to zero.

2. Carbon Dioxide Concentration

As carbon dioxide is a reactant in the process of photosynthesis, if there is no carbon dioxide there can be no photosynthesis. As CO2 concentration is increased from zero, the rate of photosynthesis will also increase in direct proportion. Q. Will the rate of photosynthesis continue to increase as CO2 concentration rises? A. No: at some point increasing the CO2 conc. will no longer have any effect as the chlorophyll will be working as fast as it is able: CO2 conc. is no longer the thing slowing down the rate of photosynthesis: the limiting factor.

3. Light Intensity
In order for the plants to photosynthesise energy in the form of light is required. If there is no light there can be no photosynthesis. As the light intensity is increased from zero the rate of photosynthesis increases in direct proportion. However at some point increasing light intensity further has no more effect, as with CO2 conc. light intensity is no longer the limiting factor.