Explain how each of the following factors affects the rates of photosynthesis.
(i) Temperature.
(ii) Chlorophyll concentration.
Answer:
(i) Temperature.
-Process of photosynthesis is enzyme controlled reaction. Low temperatures inactivate the enzymes causing low rate of photosynthesis. As
temperature rises, enzymes are activated and rate of photosynthesis increases. At optimum temperature enzymes work at their best causing highest rate of photosynthesis. When temperature rises above #40^0# C, enzymes are denatured and rate of photosynthesis decreases then stops.
(ii) Chlorophyll concentration.
Chlorophyll molecules traps light energy from the sun necessary for photosynthesis to take place. High chlorophyll concentration results in high rate of photosynthesis, low amount of chlorophyll
molecules lowers the rate of photosynthesis.