THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT LIGHT

INTENSITIES AND LIGHT COLOURS

ON THE RATE OF PHOTOSYNTHESIS
• The rate of photosynthesis in plants is different throughout the day.
• Another factor : the colour of light.
• Light spectrum : 7 colours in certain sequence( violet, indigo, blue, green,
yellow, orange and red)
• Each colour has a different wavelength.
• The rate of photosynthesis is the highest in red and blue light.
 • This is because light is absorbed by chlorophyll
• The blue light is absorbed by carotenoid pigments
before being transferred to the chlorophyll.
• These two lights have enough amount of energy to
excite electrons in the light independent reaction
 2.5 COMPENSATION
• Compensation point POINT
is the level of light intensity when the rate of
respiration = to the rate of photosynthesis

• Glucose produced from photosynthesis is used in cell respiration.

 • Net gain in glucose ( the
rate of photosynthesis
exceeds the rate of
respiration ).

• Net loss in glucose ( glucose

used in respiration is faster than
glucose produced in
photosynthesis)
• As light intensity increases, the rate of photosynthesis also increases.
• Eventually, at a certain light intensity level, the compensation point
is attained when all carbon dioxide produced during cellular
respiration is used up during photosynthesis.
• At the same time, the oxygen required for cellular respiration is
obtained form the oxygen released by the photosynthesis.
• At this point, there is no net gain or net loss in carbon dioxide by
plants and no net gain or net loss in the sugar produced.
 • When light intensity continues to increase and exceeds the
compensation point, the rate of photosynthesis exceeds the rate of
cellular respiration.
• The rate of photosynthesis increases proportionally until the point of
light saturation is reached.
 COMPARISON BETWEEN
PHOTOSYNTHESIS AND
RESPIRATION IN PLANTS
Both processes involve the
Both processes take place SIMILARITIES uptake and release of gases
in living organisms
 DIFFERENCES
PHOTOSYNTHESIS ASPECT RESPIRATION

Green plants and photosynthetic

ORGANISMS INVOLVED All living organisms
bacteria

Happens in the cells containing

TYPE OF CELLS Happens in all cells
chlorophyll

Anabolism process happens, which Catabolism process happens, which

is the synthesis of glucose using TYPE OF METABOLISM is the breakdown of glucose to
carbon dioxide and water produce energy

Chloroplast SITE Mitochondria

Carbon dioxide and water REACTION SUBSTANCES Oxygen and glucose

 DIFFERENCES
PHOTOSYNTHESIS ASPECT RESPIRATION

Glucose PRODUCTS Energy

Oxygen and water BY- PRODUCTS Carbon dioxide and water

Light energy is absorbed aan Chemical energy is converted to

ENERGY INVOLVEMENT
converted into chemical energy ATP and heat energy is released

Needs light LIGHT REQUIREMENT Does not need light