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.

Biology; Plant structures and their functions; KS4 Year 10; Factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis - Higher

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.

Biology; Plant structures and their functions; KS4 Year 10; Factors limiting the rate of photosynthesis - Higher

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.