Factor Affect Photosynthesis

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During this reaction, oxygen is produced as a by-product and it is the oxygen bubbles that are being measured in this experiment. The greater the light intensity, the more light energy that can be transferred and harnessed as fuel reaction in photosynthesis. Light intensity is inversely proportional to the distance squared because the light energy spreads out as it travels further and further from its source. Light energy travels along the circumference of an expanding circle. When light energy is released from a point, the energy is dispersed equally along the circumference. But since the circle is expanding, the circumference increases and the same light energy is distributed along a greater surface. Factors These four points illustrate important factors which affects the rate of photosynthesis: * Light intensity * Temperature * Carbon dioxide Concentration * Water availability Other factors which will affect the rate of photosynthesis are: * Surface area of leaf * Light wavelength (Colour) * pH (acidity) or (alkalinity) Light intensity As light increases, photosynthesis increases until the light compensation point (LCP) occurs. The LCP is the light level where photosynthesis and respiration balance each other; where CO2 and O2 will neither move into nor out of the leaf. Plant can survive at the LCP only as long as stored reserves are available. Temperature Enzymes are used in the respiration and photosynthesis reaction of a plant. Therefore increasing temperature will increase the rate of photosynthesis until a point at which the enzymes denature. Carbon dioxide Concentration Carbon dioxide concentration will affect the rate of reaction since the more carbon dioxide in the air, the more carbon dioxide that can diffuse into the leaf. Water availability Water is a raw material for photosynthesis and essential to the maintenance of cell and leaf. Any moisture
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