6.1.10

Limiting Factors

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Limiting Factors

A limiting factor is a factor or resource that's in such short supply, the rate of photosynthesis is limited by it. The identity of the limiting factor in photosynthesis depends on the conditions faced by the plant.

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Winter

  • In winter, temperature is usually the limiting factor.
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Night

  • At night, light intensity is usually the limiting factor.
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Warm and bright

  • In warm and bright conditions, carbon dioxide concentration is usually the limiting factor.
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Mineral-deficient soil

  • If plants are grown in mineral-deficient (lacking minerals) soil, they may not absorb enough minerals to produce lots of chlorophyll.
  • In this case, chlorophyll concentration can be the limiting factor.

Jump to other topics

1Classification of Living Organisms

2Organisation of the Organism

3Movement Into & Out of Cells

4Biological Molecules

5Enzymes

6Plant Nutrition

7Human Nutrition

8Transport in Plants

9Transport in Animals

10Diseases & Immunity

11Gas Exchange in Humans

12Respiration

13Excretion in Humans

14Coordination & Response

15Drugs

16Reproduction

17Inheritance

18Variation & Selection

19Organisms & Their Environment

20Human Influence on Ecosystems

21Biotechnology & Genetic Modification

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