The Rate of Photosynthesis Flashcards
What are the 3 main limiting factors of photosynthesis?
Light, Temperature and Carbon-Dioxide
The limiting factor of photosynthesis depends on….
The environmental conditions.
For example, at night, the limiting factor would be light.
Give an example of when temperature would be a limiting factor.
During winter/when it’s cold.
Describe a method which you could use to measure the rate of photosynthesis?
Get a flask and put some water in it. Put some pondweed into the flask. Expose the flask to different factors that affect photosynthesis. Measure the amount of oxygen produced in the gas bubbles that come off the plant, in a given time, using a gas syringe.
If a plant is exposed to too little light, what happens to the rate of photosynthesis?
It slows down and light is the limiting factor.
Increasing the amount of light a plant is exposed to quickens the rate of photosynthesis up to a ________
Certain point. Beyond this certain point, it won’t make a difference if you add more light because either carbon-dioxide or temperature will be the limiting factor.
What do you measure light with?
A light meter.
Increasing the amount of CO2 a plant is exposed to ________ the rate of photosynthesis.
Quickens
In order to increase the amount of CO2 a plant is exposed to, you can dissolve sodium hydrogencarbonate in water. Why does this increase CO2 exposure?
CO2 is produced when the Sodium Hydrogencarbonate reacts with water.
What happens to the enzymes in a plant if the temperature is too high?
They denature.
What happens to the enzymes in a plant if the temperature is too low?
The enzymes work at a slower rate.
The best way to control the temperature of a flask, if you’re doing an experiment, is to do what?
Put it in a water bath.
How are greenhouses effective?
They trap the sun’s heat and make sure that the temperature is suitable for growing plants.
In Winter, farmers could do what to warm up a greenhouse?
Get a heater.
In Summer, farmers could do what to cool down a greenhouse?
Install ventilation and use shades to shield the plants.
