THE FACTORS AFFECTING

PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 Factors
affecting
photosynthe
sis
Carbon
Light dioxide
Temperature
intensity concentratio
n
 Limiting factor
Limiting factor is any factor that
directly affects a process if its
quantity is changed.
Limiting factorresourcesare
environmental conditions that limit
the growth, abundance, or
distribution of an organism or a
population of organisms in an
ecosystem.
 The effect of light intensity
Light is essential during the light
reaction of photosynthesis.
The rate of photosynthesis is directly
proportional to the light intensity up
to a certain point.
Beyond that, the rate of
photosynthesis becomes constant
because light intensity is no longer a
limiting factor.
 The effect of carbon dioxide
concentration
Carbon dioxide is required in the dark
reaction as the raw material used in the
synthesis of glucose.
An increase in the concentration of carbon
dioxide results in an increase in the rate of
photosynthesis up to a certain point.
Beyond that, the rate of photosynthesis
becomes constant because the carbon
dioxide concentration is no longer a limiting
factor.
 The effect of temperature
The dark reaction of photosynthesis is
catalysed by enzymes and therefore changes
in temperature will affect the rate of
photosynthesis.
The optimum temperature varies for each
species, but most plants have an optimum
temperature between 25C to 30C.
When the temperature is too high or too low,
the photosynthetic enzymes are destroyed
and photosynthesis stops altogether.
 Graph of the rate of reaction of
photosynthesis against light intensity
under different carbon dioxide
concentration and temperatures
 Rate of photosynthesis throughout
the day
When the sun rises, light intensity
and the temperature of the
surroundings gradually increase,
peaks at midday, and gradually
decrease until sunset.
During midday, maximum rates of
photosynthesis is achieved.
Photosynthesis stops at night where
light is absent.
 Increasing productivity of
crops
Only a high rate of photosynthesis in
crops can produce a good harvest.
These factors can be manipulated by
planting crops inside greenhouses.
A greenhouse is an enclosed glass
house used for growing plants in
regulated light intensity,
temperature, carbon dioxide
concentration, and humidity.
Controlling the internal environment
of a greenhouse
Light intensity
An electrical lighting system is used to increase light intensity, and also
to artifiially extend the daytime for plants to photosynthesise.

Carbon dioxide concentration

Carbon dioxide cylinders, dry ice, and combustion of sulfur-free fuels
can be used to increase the carbon dioxide concentration.

Temperature
Temperature is increased using electrical heaters, solar-heaters, small
gas heaters or oil heaters.