Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis

The rate of photosynthesis depends on factors including light, chlorophyll, water, temperature and carbon dioxide. A factor that when in short supply slows down or limits the rate of photosynthesis is called a limiting factor. Increased temperature increases photosynthesis rate up to the optimum (due to increased enzyme-substrate collisions). Above the optimum temperature, enzymes are denatured and rate of photosynthesis decreases. Increased CO2 concentration increases rate of photosynthesis up to the optimum, when all enzyme active sites are full.