This deep dive covers Limiting Factors within Photosynthesis for GCSE Biology. Topic 1: Photosynthesis It is section 3 of 13 in this topic. Use this deep dive to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 3 of 13
Practice
15 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
🚦 Limiting Factors
The rate of photosynthesis is controlled by whichever resource is in shortest supply — the limiting factor. The three main limiting factors are:
- Light intensity: More light increases the rate — up to a point where another factor becomes limiting.
- CO2 concentration: More CO2 means more raw material for glucose production.
- Temperature: Enzymes work faster with more heat, but above ~40°C they denature and the rate drops.
On a graph, the rate rises with the limiting factor, then plateaus when something else takes over as the new bottleneck.