Limiting Factors
Light Intensity
Photons provide energy needed to power the light dependent stage which produces
ATP and NADPH for the light independent stage
Light also allows the stomata to open for CO₂ needed in the light independent stage
Low light = less products from light dependent stage
GP not converted to TP so GP accumulates
TP not available to regenerate RuBP
RuBP and TP levels fall
CO₂ Concentration
Not usually low enough to be limiting
CO₂ concentration needs to fall below 0.01%
RuBP cannot accept CO₂ so RuBP accumulates
No new GP is formed so cannot be converted to form TP
GP and TP levels fall
Temperature
Calvin Cycle is a series of enzyme-controlled reactions so is sensitive to temperature
Optimum temperature of enzymes usually around 30⁰C
Below optimum is a limiting factor
Above optimum enzymes denature
Water Stress
If water levels are low, stomata will close so CO₂ cannot be absorbed
Water is lost by transpiration and cells become plasmolysed, tissues become flaccid and
leaves wilt
Rate of photosynthesis greatly reduces
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