: Photosynthesis requires light, water, and CO2 to work. When one of these factors is in short supply, it is called a limiting factor. Temperature can also be a limiting factor when it is too hot or too cold for photosynthesis to work well.

Question

Question: What is the effect of limiting factors on photosynthesis?

Observe: Set Temperature to 24°C, Light intensity to 50%, and CO2 level to 200 ppm.

Move the Temperature slider up and down. Were you able to increase oxygen production? (Return the slider to 24°C when finished.)
No, moving it off of 24 degrees Celsius usually ends in decreasing oxygen production
Move the Light intensity slider back and forth. Were you able to increase oxygen production? (Return the slider to 50% when finished.)
Yes, the oxygen increased when I moved it up
Move the CO2 level slider back and forth. Were you able to increase oxygen production? (Return the slider to 200 ppm when finished.)
Yes, increasing CO2 levels increase oxygen

Analyze: In this situation, what was the limiting factor?

How do you know?

Answer 1

Analyze: In this situation, what was the limiting factor?

The limiting factor in this situation appears to be temperature.

How do you know?

I know this because when I adjusted the temperature slider away from the optimal temperature of 24°C, the oxygen production decreased. This indicates that temperature is a critical factor for optimal photosynthesis; moving it outside of the ideal range negatively impacted the process. Conversely, when I increased the light intensity and CO2 levels, oxygen production increased, suggesting these factors were not limiting at the initial settings. Therefore, temperature is the limiting factor affecting oxygen production in this scenario.