Firstly,lets talk about the factor that affect the photosynthesis.
The amounts of water,carbon dioxide concentration,light intensity,temperature,Pollution and Chlorophyll concentration.
The amount of water is effected by how much is taken up through the roots and how much is lost from the leaves. If less water is available in the leaf then photosynthesis will occur more slowly.
Similarly, if there is less carbon dioxide around then photosynthesis will occur more slowly. There wont be enough of the fuel (substrate) to get the reaction to work.
If there is less sun, which usually means it is cooler too, then there is less energy for photosynthesis and it occurs more slowly. So photosynthesis works best when it is warm and sunny - don't we all!
The enzymes work better in warm conditions (up to about 50ºC when enzymes start to be destroyed by heat), so if the water is too hot, the enzymes will stop work as it is being denatured.
As what we've learn in class this morning, plants also have to 'breath', they will "fight" with u in night for get more oxygen. Thus, if there is air pollution, the process of photosynthesis will also become slower by breath in the polluted air.
The concentration of chlorophyll affects the rate of reaction as they absorb the light energy without which the reactions cannot proceed. Lack of chlorophyll or deficiency of chlorophyll results in chlorosis or yellowing of leaves. It can occur due to disease, mineral deficiency or the natural process of aging (senescence). Lack of iron, magnesium, nitrogen and light affect the formation of chlorophyll and thereby causes chlorosis
In conclusion, the best condition for plants to photosynthesis are:
1)There is enough water for the plant.
2)They can get enough sunlight in day.
3)In a suitable temperature as it cannot be either too hot or too cold.
4)Clean environment with no pollution and fresh air for plant.
5)Amount of chlorophyll concentration on light capturing.
By:Tongchen edited by wilber
Stella:BETTER EXPLIANATION:with lesser sunlight light energy absorbed becomes a limiting factor. Lesser conversion of light energy into chemical energy,and also lesser photolysis thus in the 'dark stage'lesser glucose is formed/ratte of photosynthesis decrases.
ReplyDeleteDID YOU KNOW?? Humidity and gentetics also affects the rate of photosynthesis?
ReplyDeletehere's the link:]
http://biology.suite101.com/article.cfm/factors-affecting-the-rate-of-photosynthesis
New idea : For water plants , will carbon dioxide in the air affect it's rate of photosynthesis?
ReplyDeleteAlso , are chlorophyll not present in all plants ?What is meant by point 5 in the conclusion?
To Karthik , Kok Xuan , Robina , Derrick , Han Xue
ReplyDeleteYes,carbon dioxide in the air does affect the photosynthesis rate for water plants due to the fact that carbon dioxide can dissolve in the water
Carbon dioxide is soluble in water, in which it spontaneously interconverts between CO2 and H2CO3 (carbonic acid). The relative concentrations of CO2, H2CO3, and the deprotonated forms HCO−3 (bicarbonate) and CO2−3(carbonate) depend on the pH. In neutral or slightly alkaline water (pH > 6.5), the bicarbonate form predominates (>50%) becoming the most prevalent (>95%) at the pH of seawater, while in very alkaline water (pH > 10.4) the predominant (>50%) form is carbonate. The bicarbonate and carbonate forms are very soluble, such that air-equilibrated ocean water (mildly alkaline with typical pH = 8.2 – 8.5) contains about 120 mg of bicarbonate per liter.
Evidences can be found in http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carbon_dioxide
ReplyDeleteFurther information about the factors affecting photosynthesis
ReplyDeleteThe rate of photosynthesis is not constant throughout the day. It's rate is affected by the intensity of light. The actual requirement of the light intensity for maximum photosynthesis in a plant depends on the type of plant and also on its habitat. Generally, average sunlight intensity is sufficient for photosynthesis except on rainy or cloudy days. The rate of photosynthesis increases with increasing intensity of light and decreases with decreasing intensity of light. During early morning or late evenings when the rate of photosynthesis becomes equal to the rate of respiration, there will not be any net exchange of gases (CO2 and O2) between the plant and the surrounding environment. The light intensity, at which the photosynthetic intake of carbon dioxide is equal to the respiratory output of carbon dioxide is called the compensation point.
Application
Study of photosynthesis and the factors affecting it helps us understand the most important biochemical life sustaining processes. All plants and animals are dependent on the sun for energy. This energy is made available to them by the process of photosynthesis. Man, like other animals, is dependent on the plants for his food. Scientists are constantly working towards developing new varieties of crops which give better yield of crops. With the population explosion and resulting pressure on land resources, the percentage of land available for cultivation is reducing at an alarming rate. This means that in the restricted space, the crops have to yield more. All this has been possible so far with the understanding of the photosynthesis. Greenhouse plants and crops in unfriendly freezing conditions have been possible due to the study of the factors affecting photosynthesis.
Studies have shown that there are a group of plants called the C4 plants which are more efficient in harnessing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Since the atmospheric level of the gas is only 0.3 to 0.4% and maximum crop yield is reported at 1% level, these plants are ideal for cultivation as they can draw maximum carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, greatly increasing the yield. One of the areas of current focus is the better understanding of the mechanism of C4 plants.
More information found in http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/biology-ii/nutrition/factors-affecting-photosynthesis.php
does humidity includes water vapour?
ReplyDeleteif it does, so if the water vapour changes, the rate of photosynthesis changes too, right?
ariel: what do you mean by less water? any specification if possible? and also, since there is only a limited amount of sunlight that can be captured, there should also be a limited amount of water that can be taken in. so, if you coincidently did an experiment, which the one with the most less water is just right for the plants, how do you explain it? correct me if i'm wrong...
ReplyDelete