BIOLOGY

FACTORS AFFECTING
PHOTOSYNTHESIS
 FACTORS AFFECTING
PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Photosynthesis is a physiological process

The rate of photosynthesis which place in
plants is affected by the following factors:
-Light intensity
-Concentration of carbon dioxide
-Temperature
-Water
CONCENTRATION OF CARBON
DIOXIDE

Carbon dioxide is needed in the dark

reaction as a raw material used in the
synthesis of glucose.
The concentration of carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere varies between 0.03%
and0.04%.
If there are no other factors limiting
photosynthesis, an increase in the
concentration of carbon dioxide results in the
rate of photosynthesis.
As in the case of light intensity, the rate of
 LIGHT INTENSITY

Light is essential during the light reaction of

photosynthesis (Photolysis of water).
When the concentration of carbon dioxide
and temperature are controlled at constant
levels, the rate of photosynthesis is directly
proportional to light intensity up to a certain
point.
 WATER

Water is required for photosynthesis. However,

water is rarely the limiting factor in photosynthesis
because the amount of water required is small.
At the same time, if water is not supplied wilting
occurs and this results in the closing of the
stomata. This prevents the diffusion of carbon
dioxide into the leaves.
As a result, the rate of photosynthesis decreases as
the lower concentration of carbon dioxide becomes
the limiting factor.
 TEMPERATURE

The dark reaction of photosynthesis is catalysed by

the photosynthetic enzymes and, therefore changes
in temperature will affect the rate of photosynthesis.
Generally, an increase of 10C in the surroundings
temperature will double the rate of photosynthesis.
The optimum temperature varies for the different
species of plants, but most plants have an optimum
temperature of between 25C and 30C.
However, when the temperature is too high, the
photosynthetic enzymes are destroyed by
denaturation and photosynthesis stops together.