Biology Figures

Limiting factors in photosynthesis: rate against light intensity at different CO₂ and temperatures

An example figure from the Photosynthesis Rate generator.

Graph of rate of photosynthesis against light intensity with no numbers on the axes: three curves rising together in a straight line, labeled Light is limiting, then levelling off at different heights, 0.1 % CO₂ at 25 °C (solid blue) highest, 0.1 % CO₂ at 15 °C (dashed red) lower and 0.04 % CO₂ at 15 °C (dotted green) lowest, with CO₂ or temperature is limiting written over the top plateau and a key under the graph
The classic limiting-factor graph: the rate of photosynthesis against light intensity at 0.1 % CO₂ and 25 °C (solid blue), 0.1 % CO₂ and 15 °C (dashed red), and 0.04 % CO₂ and 15 °C (dotted green). At low light the three curves share one straight line, because light is limiting. Each then levels off where CO₂ or temperature limits the rate instead, highest with more CO₂ and the warmer temperature.
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Answer key

  • 0.1 % CO₂, 25 °C: light is limiting up to a light intensity of about 41, then the rate levels off at 9.8
  • 0.1 % CO₂, 15 °C: light is limiting up to a light intensity of about 19, then the rate levels off at 4.6
  • 0.04 % CO₂, 15 °C: light is limiting up to a light intensity of about 11, then the rate levels off at 2.6

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