BRAINCAKETemperature
Temperature affects photosynthesis mainly through enzymes. The light-independent reactions of the Calvin cycle are catalysed by enzymes such as RuBisCO, so they are the most temperature-sensitive stage. The light-dependent reactions depend largely on light absorption and are affected much less.
At low temperatures, molecules have little kinetic energy, so enzyme-substrate complexes form slowly and the rate of photosynthesis is low. As temperature rises, enzyme and substrate molecules move faster and collide more often, so the rate increases. Over the lower part of the range, a 10 °C rise roughly doubles the rate (a temperature coefficient, Q10, of about 2).
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Key terms in this lesson
- rubisco
- The enzyme that catalyses the fixation of carbon dioxide by combining it with RuBP in the Calvin cycle, and can also catalyse a competing reaction with oxygen (photorespiration).
More in Photosynthesis
- The Calvin Cycle
- The Products of Photosynthesis
- C4 Plants
- Rubisco
- Limiting Factors of Photosynthesis
- Light
- Carbon Dioxide
- Limiting Factors in the Wild
All 20 lessons in Photosynthesis · All Edexcel A-level Biology topics