GCSE Biology (AQA)

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Carbon Dioxide & Photosynthesis

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Bioenergetics Photosynthesis

Carbon Dioxide & Photosynthesis

2:36 Photosynthesis and Light Intensity, Carbon Dioxide and Chlorophyll
Spec 4.4.1.2
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  • Increasing carbon dioxide concentration boosts the rate of photosynthesis as plants use it to make glucose.
  • Photosynthesis requires carbon dioxide, depicted as a beige oval in an image.
  • The relationship between carbon dioxide and photosynthesis can be represented graphically, showing that increasing carbon dioxide concentration increases the rate of photosynthesis only up to a certain point.
  • At low carbon dioxide levels (point A on the graph), the rate of photosynthesis is also low.
  • At a higher level of carbon dioxide (point B), there is an increased rate of photosynthesis.
  • Between points B and C, there is no change in the rate of photosynthesis once a certain carbon dioxide level is reached.
  • Other factors, such as light intensity, must be increased to further enhance photosynthesis.
  • On sunny days, with increased light levels, plants have a higher demand for carbon dioxide.
  • Carbon dioxide often acts as a limiting factor in the rate of photosynthesis.
  • Graphs showing other limiting factors can clearly demonstrate the role of carbon dioxide as a limiting factor.
  • The graph also shows the effect of light intensity at two different temperatures, indicating that at high light intensity and optimum temperature, carbon dioxide levels become the limiting factor.
  • The flat parts of the graph indicate that even though light intensity is increasing, the rate of photosynthesis does not change due to carbon dioxide levels being the limiting factor.
  • The optimum temperature confirms that carbon dioxide is the limiting factor, as the temperature is already ideal for photosynthesis.

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