Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis - Photosynthesis Graph A/I Hand-out:

Limiting factors are environmental influences/resources that constrain the

productivity of an organism or the efficiency of a metabolic pathway.
If a limiting factor increase then the rate of the photosynthesis will also
increase
Which factors affect photosynthesis?
If any process is to take place then correct components and conditions are required.
In the case of photosynthesis these are:

Light at dawn, dusk, night or cloud cover

carbon dioxide when all other factors are in abundance

water- lesser effect compared to light and CO2; in times of

drought

suitable temperature limits when temperature is above or

below enzymes optimum temperatues

Additionally, it is most important that the chloroplasts have been able to

develop their photosynthetic pigments in the thylakoid membranes.
Without an adequate supply of magnesium and iron important cations
that stabilise the pigments- a plant suffers from chlorosis due to chlorophyll

Compensation point: is the intensity of light at which the rate of carbon dioxide uptake
(photosynthesis)
is equal to carbon
dioxide
(respiration) and
.
not developing.
The leaf
colourproduction
becomes yellow-green
photosynthesis is
reduced.
Photosynthesis utilises carbon dioxide whereas respiration results in its excretion. At night
time during darkness a plant respires and gives out carbon dioxide.
Photosynthesis only commences when light becomes available at dawn, if all
other conditions are met. At one point the amount of carbon dioxide released by
respiration is totally re-used in photosynthesis.

Can be expressed in terms of CO2 or oxygen at compensation point CO2 and O2 net
concentrations are 0%
Compensation point is likely to occur right at the beginning of evening or right at the start
of dawn

Account for the shade

plant having a lower
compensation point
than the sun plant?

Practice Questions (Past IB, AP, A-level)

1.

Outline the effect of temperature, light intensity and carbon dioxide concentration
on the rate of photosynthesis. 6 marks
Approach:
Use annotated
light:
rate of photosynthesis increases as light intensity increases graphs to support
answer!!!
photosynthetic rate reaches plateau at high light levels
CO2:
photosynthetic rate reaches plateau at high carbon dioxide levels
up to a maximum when rate levels off
temperature:
rate of photosynthesis increases with increase in temperature
up to optimal level / maximum
high temperatures reduce the rate of photosynthesis

2. Explain how the rate of photosynthesis can be measured. 7 marks

CO2 + H2O --> (CH2O)n + O2/ suitable photosynthesis equation

amount of CO2 absorbed (per unit time) can be measured
increase in biomass (per unit time) can be measured
O2 excretion (per unit time) can be measured
3. Explain the effect of light intensity and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis. 8
marks
both light and temperature can be limiting factors;
other factors can be limiting;
graph showing increase and plateau with increasing light / description of this
graph showing increase and decrease with increasing temperature / description of this
4.

Figure 13.10 shows the effect of light on the rate of photosynthesis. Based on the graph,
answer the following questions:
(c) At which point/s (A, B or C) in the curve is light a limiting factor?
a. Answer: At point A
(b) What could be the limiting factor/s in region A?
Answer: Carbon dioxide and water; apart from light.
(c) What do C and D represent on the curve?
Answer: C is the stage beyond which light
is not a limiting factor. D is the line beyond
which intensity of light has no effect on
the rate of photosynthesis.