Revise: Photosynthesis – limiting factorsRate of photosynthesis

The rate of photosynthesis is affected by the following factors:

• concentration of carbon dioxide
• availability of water
• light intensity

The rate of photosynthesis is also affected by temperature because the reactions of photosynthesis are controlled by specific enzymes. At low temperatures photosynthesis happens more slowly.

A limiting factor is a factor that can limit the rate of photosynthesis if it is in short supply.

A greenhouse can be used to overcome the limiting factors of photosynthesis. This allows plants to grow faster as they are making more food.

Greenhouses can have artificial light so that photosynthesis can continue beyond daylight hours, or at a higher than normal light intensity. The use of paraffin lamps inside a greenhouse increases the rate of photosynthesis because the burning paraffin produces carbon dioxide as well as heat.