By: Vasantha raj and Rehneshah

The factors affecting photosynthesis

The rate of photosynthesis is affected by :
a) Light intensity
b) Concentration of carbon dioxide
c) Temperature
 FACTORS EXPLANATION
a)LIGHT INTENSITY • The higher the light intensity, the
higher the rate of photosynthesis.
• As the light intensity increases, the
rate of photosynthesis increases up to
a saturation point (P)
• A further increase in the light intensity
(beyond point P) does not increase
the rate of photosynthesis because of
the limiting factors such as
concentration of carbon dioxide and
temperature.
• At very high light intensity, the rate of
photosynthesis slow down because
the pigment chlorophyll is damaged
by ultraviolet rays.

B)CONCENTRATION OF CARBON DIOXIDE • The higher the concentration of

carbon dioxide, the higher the rate of
photosynthesis.
• As the concentration of carbon
dioxide increases, the rate of
photosynthesis increases up to a
saturation point.
 • A further increase in the
concentration of carbon dioxide does
not increase the rate of
photosynthesis because light
intensity acts as a limiting factors.

c) TEMPERATURE • Changes in temperature will affect the

rate of photosynthesis because the
dark reaction of photosynthesis is
catalysed by the photosynthetic
enzymes.
• An increase of 10 0C in the
surrounding temperature will double
the rate of photosynthesis
• The optimum temperature for most of
the plants is 25 0C - 300C
• When the temperature is too high, the
photosynthesis will stop because the
photosynthetic enzymes are
denatured.
 The level of carbon dioxide is usually raised to about 0.1%
(about 3 times higher than the normal atmospheric
concentration). This increases the yield by about 50%.The
extra carbon dioxide is provided by burning paraffin(which
also raises the temperature)or by releasing it from a
cylinder.
Temperature tends to be warmer inside the greenhouse
than outside because the heat that passes through the glass
cannot escape.
Sunlight provides some heat but heaters which are
regulated by the thermostats can provide greater control.If
the increase in temperature is too high,shading and
ventilation can be used to lower it as high temperatures can
affect the enzymes involved in photosynthesis.
The glass roofs allows sunlight to penetrate through the greenhouse.The intensity of light can also be increased by using
artificial lighting to increase the rate of photosynthesis.Shades or light reflectors reflect excessive light that penetrates
through the glass roof during summer.

Water is supplied by using automatic sprinklers.

The humidity of the greenhouse is maintained by using a humidifier.Air humidifier ensures no excessive loss of water through
transpiration.

Sufficient nutrients are supplied all the time.

 .

The importance of photosynthesis :

 Through photosynthesis, green plants convert the energy from sunlight into chemical energy and store this
energy within organic molecules. These organic molecules provide fuel for other organisms that eat the plants.
 During photosynthesis, plants remove carbon dioxide from the air, and at the same time produce oxygen.