2.20: Understand how Varying Carbon Dioxide Concentration, Light Intensity and Temperature affect the Rate of Photosynthesis

PHOTOSYNTHESIS: Production of Carbon compounds (Glucose) in cells using light energy from the Sun

FACTORS THAT AFFECT RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS:

FACTOR	EXPLANATION
CARBON DIOXIDE	As the concentration of Carbon Dioxide increases, the rate of Photosynthesis will increase As Carbon Dioxide is a reactant in Photosynthesis, the increase in Carbon Dioxide concentration will allow more Photosynthesis to occur, hence increasing the rate of Photosynthesis However, as concentration of Carbon Dioxide increases beyond a certain point, rate of Photosynthesis with plateau as another factor will be the limiting factor
TEMPERATURE	As temperature increases towards optimum, the rate of Photosynthesis will increase This is because the increase in temperature towards optimum will allow optimum enzyme activity for Photosynthesis-related enzymes, hence increasing the rate of photosynthesis However, as temperature increases above optimum, enzymes involved in Photosynthesis will denature, therefore causing the rate of Photosynthesis to decrease
LIGHT INTENSITY	As light intensity increases, the rate of Photosynthesis will increase As Photosynthesis can only occur under the presence of light, the increase in light intensity will therefore allow more Photosynthesis to occur, increasing the rate of Photosynthesis However, as light intensity increases beyond a certain point, the rate of Photosynthesis will plateau as another factor is the limiting factor