6 Factors Affecting Photosynthesis and Its Explanations

6 Factors Affecting Photosynthesis and Its Explanations

The word photosynthesis comes from the Greek language, which is a photo meaning "light" and sýnthesis which means "merging". As if traced in terms of photosynthesis can be interpreted as a biochemical process undertaken by plants in forming food substances through the help of sunlight. The process of photosynthesis itself is influenced by several important factors, both in the form of internal factors and external factors. Here, in this article we will discuss about what are the factors that influence the photosynthesis factors. Please be listened!

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

To find out what are the factors that affect photosynthesis, first please consider the formula of photosynthesis rate in the image below!

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

From the picture above, it is known that in the process of photosynthesis, plants require carbon dioxide, water, chlorophyll, and sunlight to produce carbohydrates (energy). These elements are the factors that affect the rate or speed of photosynthesis. The following will explain these factors.

1. Carbon dioxide concentration

Carbon dioxide concentration is the most important external factor affecting the rate of photosynthesis of plants. Its limited availability, ie only about 0.03% in the atmosphere makes the plants compete to absorb it into chlorophyll through stomata. The greater the concentration of carbon dioxide in the air, the rate of photosynthesis will also be greater.

2. Water Availability

Water is one of the basic needs for plants to be able to perform photosynthesis. Water has a primary function as the main raw material in the process of photosynthesis as well as carbon dioxide. In addition, plants also need water for the transpiration process. If the water shortage, stomata on the leaves will close and make carbon dioxide can not be absorbed and into the chloroplast.

3. Light

As the name implies, light also belongs to one of the factors that influence photosynthesis. By its nature, the light factor itself is divided into several sub factors, including the intensity of light, the wavelength of light, and the duration of irradiation.

Light intensity. This factor is the most influential for the photosynthesis of plants. The lower the intensity of light received by plants, the more difficult it will be in the plant photosynthesis. At low light intensity, the energy absorbed by plants is not sufficient to be converted into biochemical energy.

Wavelength. The wavelength of light is shown through thet color spectrum, among which light is yellow, green, red, orange and blue. Each of these color spectra will affect the rate of photosynthesis.

Long irradiation. In some parts of the world, solar radiation can last more than 12 hours a day. In these areas, the process of photosynthesis by plants will also take place continuously.

4. Chlorophyll

Factors Affecting Photosynthesis

Chlorophyll or leaf green matter is a color pigment contained in leaf chloroplasts and used as a catalyst in the process of photosynthesis. Without chlorophyll, photosynthesis will be very slow even can not happen until the plant runs out of energy. Since it is present in the plant part, chlorophyll can also be called an internal factor affecting photosynthesis. 

5. Nutrient elements

Nutrient elements are the main nutrients needed by plants in metabolism. The nutrient element is a mineral as well as an organic material that can be obtained by absorption by roots in the soil. For example, in conducting photosynthesis, chlorophyll requires magnesium ions that can only be obtained from the root of the soil. [Read Also: Soil Formation Process

6. Temperature

The temperature of the air around the plant is also a factor that affects photosynthesis. Temperatures that are too high will make the leaves close most of their stomatas to minimize the rate of transipiration (evaporation). This process results in carbon dioxide can not be absorbed by the leaves and photosynthesis process will experience slowdown. Meanwhile, if the temperature is too low, the water contained in the plant will freeze so that the nutrient circulation from root to leaf can not occur.

Well, so explanation of the 6 factors that affect photosynthesis. Both external factors around the plant environment such as water availability, carbon dioxide concentrations, light, nutrients, and air temperature, as well as internal factors such as the presence of chlorophyll, will both affect how quickly the rate of photosynthesis and how much carbohydrate the plants produce