4.1.3

Rate of Photosynthesis

Test yourself

The Rate of Photosynthesis

The four key factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis are:

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Temperature

  • Increasing the temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis because more energy is provided.
  • But, if the temperature is increased to above about 45°C, the enzymes that catalyse (speed-up) the reaction begin to denature (not work anymore).
  • This causes the rate of the reaction to drop sharply until it stops altogether.
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Light intensity

  • A greater light intensity means a greater rate of photosynthesis. This is because more energy is being provided.
  • But, if the light intensity is increased above a certain threshold, the rate of photosynthesis will not increase because another factor (such as temperature) is limiting the rate of the reaction.
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Carbon dioxide concentration

  • Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis because carbon dioxide is a reactant in photosynthesis.
  • But, above a certain threshold, further increases in the carbon dioxide concentration do not increase the rate of photosynthesis because another factor (such as light intensity) is limiting the rate of reaction.
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Chlorophyll concentration

  • High chlorophyll concentration gives a high rate of photosynthesis.

Jump to other topics

1Cell Biology

1.1What's in Cells?

1.2Cell Division

1.3Transport in Cells

2Organisation

2.1Principles of Organisation

2.2Enzymes

2.3Circulatory System

2.4Non-Communicable Diseases

2.5Plant Tissues, Organs & Systems

3Infection & Response

4Bioenergetics

5Homeostasis & Response

5.1Homeostasis

5.2The Human Nervous System

5.3Hormonal Coordination in Humans

5.4Plant Hormones

6Inheritance, Variation & Evolution

7Ecology

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