LIMITING FACTORS

-A limiting factor is that factor which directly affects the rate of a chemical reaction if its
quantity is changed.
-The availability of light, carbon dioxide and suitable temperature all affect the rate of
photosynthesis.
-The rate of photosynthesis in a plant depends on which of these factors is in the shortest supply.
-That particular factor will limit the rate of photosynthesis, even when others may be optimum.
-Light, carbon dioxide, water and suitable temperature are therefore limiting factors.
-After carrying out the 3 experiments described above, we can conclude that
carbohydrates/starch is produced when a plant has access to light, CO2 and chlorophyll.
-Oxygen gas is also one of the products of photosynthesis and this can be shown if a water plant
is allowed to photosynthesise in the lab.
-Aquatic/water plant such as Elodea or hydrillia may be used for these investigations.

Experiment to show that oxygen is given out during photosynthesis:

Apparatus
-Large beaker -Test tube
-2 coins to act as funnel support - Aquatic plant
-Short stemmed funnel
-Sodium hydrogen carbonate powder (to provide CO2)

Method:
-Set up the apparatus as shown below and leave for two days.
Results:
A gas collects at the top of the test tube which is found to re light a glowing splint.

Conclusion:
Only oxygen has the ability to relight a glowing splint, so oxygen has been produced during
photosynthesis.

*The control for this experiment is to set up the same experiment in a dark place for the same
length of time. No gas collects in the test tube.

The rate of photosynthesis

-We can now look at the plant’s rate of photosynthesis, that is, how quickly or slowly it
photosynthesises.
-This rate changes if we vary the amount of certain factors; light, CO2, and temperature.
-We can demonstrate this in an experiment by measuring the release of O2 by a water plant.

Experiment to show effect of varying light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis

Apparatus:
-Large test tube
-Bench lamp
-Length of stem from water plant
-Clock

Method:
-The apparatus is set up as shown previously.
-It is important to carry out these experiments in a darkened room so that the only source of light
reaching the plant is from the bench lamp.
-As the aquatic plant photosynthesises, bubbles are released from the cut end of the stem.
-Place the bench lamp at position A (25cm away) leave the plant for 10 mins, this gives the plant
time to adjust to the new condition.
-Count the number of bubbles released by the plant for a measured period of time e.g 3 mins.
Record the results.
-Move the lamp to position B (50cm away), again leave the plant for 10 mins then count the
bubbles produced for the same length of time, record the results.
-Move the lamp to position C (75cm away) and repeat the procedure.

Results:
As the lamp is moved further away from the plant, the intensity of light reaching the plant
decreases. As the light intensity decreases so does the number of bubbles/O2 produced by the cut
stem over the same period of time, and vice versa.

Conclusion:
-The higher the light intensity, the higher the rate of photosynthesis, but up to a certain level as
shown by the graph below:

-Before point X, an increase in light intensity increases the rate of photosynthesis.

-After X, the rate becomes constant, showing that further increase in light intensity does not
increase the rate.
-This implies that its no longer light that is limiting the process but rather that, may be
*chlorophyll has been bleached by light.
*chlorophyll is fully saturated with light.
*the process is now affected by other limiting factors.

Experiment to show effect of varying carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis

Apparatus:
Same as for light intensity plus sodium hydrogen carbonate powder.

Method:
*When sodium hydrogen carbonate dissolves in water it supplies the aquatic plant with CO2.
-Immerse the length of stem in a test tube filled with water at room temperature.
-Leave it for 20 minutes so that the plant can adjust to the conditions.
-Place a bench lamp about 25cm away and direct it at the plant. Count the number of bubbles
produced by the stem over a period of 3 mins and record the results.
-Carefully weigh out 0.25g of Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate and add to the water in the beaker.
Gently shake the beaker to dissolve the powder and leave for 20 mins.
-With the bench lamp still at 25cm, count the number of bubbles produced. Repeat this twice
adding a further 0.25g of NaHCO3 each time.

Results:
More CO2 becomes available to the plant as more NaHCO3 is added to the water. As the amount
of CO2 increases, so does the number of bubbles (oxygen) released by the stem over the same
time.

Conclusion:
-Increased amounts of carbon dioxide available increases the rate of photosynthesis, again up to
a certain level, as shown below:

-Before X, CO2 is limiting the rate of photosynthesis.

-After X, there may be a high concentration of CO2 available, but may be
*the temperature is too low and is now the limiting factor.
*all the cells are saturated with CO2.

Experiment to show effect of varying temperature on the rate of photosynthesis

Apparatus:
Same as before plus thermometer.

Method:
-Set up the apparatus with the test tube in a large beaker of water (water bath).
-The temperature of the water bath is the only factor in this experiment that is altered. Decrease
the temperature of the water bath by adding ice, then leave the plant for 20-30 mins to adjust to
the conditions.
-Count the number of bubbles produced over a period of 3 mins and record the results.
-Raise the temperature of the water bath above room temperature by adding warm water. Again
give the plant 20-30 mins to adjust to the new conditions check the thermometer regularly to
make sure that the temperature is maintained, adding warm water if necessary.
-Count bubbles produced over 3 mins, record results.

Results:
-The warmer the temperature (up to 45oC) the more bubbles are released over the same period of
time.

Conclusion
The warmer the temperature, the faster the rate of photosynthesis, but only up to 45oC, beyond
which the rate of photosynthesis drops.

This may be because temperatures higher than optimum temperature denature enzymes, and so
the rate decreases until the reaction comes to a stop.