3.6 Rate of photosynthesis 3.

6
3 Recall photosynthesis by writing its:

(a) word equation

Science inquiry
(b) balanced chemical equation.
Verbal/linguistic Logical/mathematical
4 Identify the limiting factor that stops photosynthesis from proceeding at night.
As the chemical equations below show, carbon dioxide and water have to be present
before photosynthesis can take place.
carbon dioxide + water glucose + oxygen
5 Plants don’t grow well in a drought. They may even die. Use your knowledge of
6CO2 + 6H2O C6H12O6 + 6O2 photosynthesis to explain why this happens.
Although it is not a reactant, chlorophyll needs to be present. Sunlight is also needed,
because it powers the reaction. If any one of these is not available, then photosynthesis
slows down or stops. The factor that is missing or in short supply is called the limiting
6 Most caves have no plants in them. Identify the limiting factors of this environment
factor. In times of drought, water could be a limiting factor. If the stomata are closed to
save water, then carbon dioxide cannot enter the leaf, and carbon dioxide could become
the limiting factor.
At night, light is the limiting factor and there is no photosynthesis. As the sun rises, the
rate of photosynthesis increases as the light intensity increases. Then, at some point, 7 (a) State the temperature that photosynthesis stops above.
the rate of photosynthesis does not increase any further. Something other than light is (b) Explain why photosynthesis stops above this temperature.
controlling the rate. When light is no longer the limiting factor, it is often the amount of
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and the rate at which it can diffuse into the leaf, that
limits the rate of photosynthesis. This is shown in Figure 3.6.1.
8 Compare lines X and Y on the graph shown below.

No further increase can occur

without more CO2
Rate of photosynthesis

Oxygen produced
Carbon dioxide levels begin
to limit the reaction

As light intensity increases, more energy is X

available and the rate of photosynthesis increases

Figure
3.6.1 Light intensity Light intensity

The speed (rate) of most chemical reactions increases as the temperature increases. 9 Summarise what both lines on the graph show about photosynthesis as light
This is true of photosynthesis too, but only up to a point. The rate of photosynthesis intensity increases.
increases until the temperature reaches about 30°C. At this temperature, photosynthesis
decreases and then stops. This is because the enzymes that help photosynthesis along
are destroyed at temperatures greater than 30°C. Above 30°C the enzymes can no longer
function. 10 Discuss possible reasons for the difference in the lines.

1 For the photosynthesis reaction, list the names and chemical formulas of the:
11 Explain why the amount of oxygen produced is a good measure of the rate of
(a) reactants
photosynthesis taking place.
(b) products.

2 State what else is required for photosynthesis to occur.