6.

6: Limiting Factors
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Objective

• To know that light, carbon dioxide, temperature, and stomata opening and closure are limiting factors that
influence the rate of photosynthesis in plants
Limiting factors
• Limiting factor: is something present in the environment in such short supply that it restricts life processes

• The process of photosynthesis depends on:

* the availability of light
* the presence of a pigment to absorb the light
* a supply of carbon dioxide and water
* a temperature suitable for enzyme activity

• Ex,
1. during the summer, light and temperature may be ideal for photosynthesis, but carbon dioxide concentration
may be the limiting factor
2. During any 24-hour period, light will be a limiting factor from dusk to dawn
3. During the winter, plants may photosynthesize in a bright, sunny day because temperature is the limiting
factor
Sunlight
• In the dark: plants cannot photosynthesize

• In dim light: photosynthesis occurs slowly

• In bright light: as light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis increases until a certain point at which
the plant cannot photosynthesize any faster even the light intensity increases

Between A and B: light is a limiting factor (the plant is

C limited in how fast it can photosynthesize because it doesn’t
B have enough light).

Between B and C: light is not a limiting factor (even if more

A light is shone on the plant, it can’t photosynthesize faster
because it already has as much light as it can use).
Sunlight

• Light provides the energy that drives photosynthesis (by splitting water molecules)

• The light energy absorbed by a plant depends on: 1. the intensity of the light source
2. the wavelength of the light
3.the length of time (duration) that the light is available

• Chlorophyll is essential for the absorption of light energy (its synthesis requires magnesium ions absorbed
form the soil)
Carbon dioxide

• The more carbon dioxide a plant is given, the faster it can photosynthesize up to a point, but then a
maximum is reached

• Carbon dioxide is the substrate that is in shortest supply (there is almost always enough water for the plant)

• Good green house effects (burning fossil fuels):

* raises carbon dioxide concentration Both increase the rate of
* raises the temperature photosynthesis.
Temperature
• On cold days: the chemical reactions of photosynthesis occur very slowly

• On warm days: photosynthesis occur faster because the enzymes involved in the chemical reactions of
photosynthesis in the leaves work faster, and the active transport of mineral ions in the roots occurs faster.

• But on a really hot day, photosynthesis may slow down because the enzymes involved in photosynthesis may
be denatured, and the stomata close to prevent too much water loss so that carbon dioxide needed for
photosynthesis can’t enter the leaves.
stomata

• Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through the stomata

• If the stomata are closed, photosynthesis can’t take place

• But on a very hot day, stomata close to prevent too much water loss. So on a very hot day,
photosynthesis slows down
 Growing crops in glasshouses

• For controlling the limiting factors

1. Temperature can be controlled for plants to grow fast, photosynthesize fast, and produce a large yield of
crops, ex, if the temperature in a certain area is too cold, plants could be grown in heated glasshouses..

2. Light can be controlled by providing extra lightening in cloudy or dark conditions. (kinds of Lights chosen
should be of the right wavelengths that the plants need).
In tropical countries, temperature and light intensity are too high, so plants should be shaded from sunlight
growing it in closed glasshouses with windows to let the hot air out, or by growing taller plants nearby, or by
providing a simple roof over the crop plant.

3. Carbon dioxide concentration can be controlled by providing extra carbon dioxide in glasshouses.