6.1.6

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.
  • However, 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

  • Increasing light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis because more energy is provided.
  • However, 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.
  • However, 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

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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