Explain the factors that effect the rate of photosynthesis
Answers
Light
It is one of the major factors affecting photosynthesis. Photosynthesis cannot occur in the dark and the source of light for the plants is sunlight. Three attributes of light are important for photosynthesis:
Intensity: Photosynthesis begins at low intensities of light and increases till it is maximum at the brightest time of the day. The amount of light required varies for different plants. Photosynthesis uses maximum up to 1.5 % light in the process and so light is generally not a limiting factor at high intensity. However, the light becomes a limiting factor
Quality: Experiments conducted by Engelmann prove that the chlorophyll most effectively absorbs red and blue wavelengths from the entire spectrum of light. Thus, maximum photosynthesis occurs when the plant is exposed to the light of these wavelengths.
Duration: The longer the plant is exposed to light, the longer the process of photosynthesis will continue. As long as the temperature of the plant remains balanced, photosynthesis will occur.
Light CO2 and water the factors on which the photosynthesis depends