Factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis - Higher
Select Lesson
Exam Board
Select an option
Biology practicals
Investigating specimens using microscopes
Investigating the effect of pH on amylase activity
Investigating molecules in food using food tests
Investigating osmosis in potatoes
Investigating the effect of antimicrobials
Investigating limiting factors of photosynthesis
Investigating the rate of respiration
Using field-work techniques
Ecosystems and material cycles
Exchange and transport in animals
Animal coordination, control and homeostasis
Plant structures and their functions
Health, disease and the development of medicines
The relationship between health and disease
Communicable disease
Sexually transmitted infections
How the body fights disease
Vaccination, immunisation and medicines
Aseptic techniques
Drug development and testing
Monoclonal antibodies and their uses - Higher
Non-communicable diseases
Calculating BMI and the waist-to-hip ratio
Cardiovascular disease and treatment
Plant defences and diseases
Natural selection and genetic modification
Genetics
Cells and control
Key concepts
Practical skills
Explainer Video
Summary
Factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis
In a nutshell
The rate of photosynthesis can be impacted by multiple factors. For example, the light intensity will impact the amount of energy available for the process. The concentration of carbon dioxide and the temperature will also affect the rate of photosynthesis. More than one limiting factor can be impacting the rate of photosynthesis at the same time.
Law of limiting factors
Several limiting factors may interact and it could be any of them that are impacting the rate of photosynthesis. This is the law of limiting factors.
Example
Light and carbon dioxide interacting.
| 1. | Increasing the light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis as there is more energy available for the process to occur. |
| 2. | Eventually, another limiting factor like carbon dioxide will be acting so there will be no further increase in the rate of photosynthesis and it will occur at a constant rate. |
| 3. | The concentration of carbon dioxide is increased. |
| 4. | Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration will increase the rate of photosynthesis again. |
| 5. | This will continue until another factor becomes limiting. |
Example
Light and temperature interacting.
| 1. | Increasing the light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis as there is more energy available for the process to occur. |
| 2. | Eventually, another limiting factor like temperature will be acting so there will be no further increase in the rate of photosynthesis and it will occur at a constant rate. |
| 3. | The temperature is increased. |
| 4. | Increasing the temperature will increase the rate of photosynthesis again. |
| 5. | This will continue until another factor becomes limiting. |
FAQs - Frequently Asked Questions
How can light intensity and carbon dioxide interact to impact the rate of photosynthesis?
Increasing the light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis as there is more energy available for the process to occur. Eventually, another limiting factor like carbon dioxide will be acting so there will be no further increase in the rate of photosynthesis and it will occur at a constant rate. Increasing the carbon dioxide concentration will increase the rate of photosynthesis again. This will continue until another factor becomes limiting.
What is the law of limiting factors?
Several limiting factors may interact and it could be any of them that are impacting the rate of photosynthesis. This is the law of limiting factors.
How does increasing the light intensity limit the rate of photosynthesis?
Increasing the light intensity will increase the rate of photosynthesis as there is more energy available for the process to occur.