According to the table below, how does temperature affect the rate of photosynthesis?
| | $10^{\circ} C$ | $25^{\circ} C$ | $40^{\circ} C$ |
|---|-----------------|-----------------|-----------------|
| Number of bubbles produced in 30 sec | 6 | 19 | 14 |
A. Temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis.
B. Temperature decreases the rate of photosynthesis.
C. The rate of photosynthesis stays the same.
D. Temperature triples the rate of photosynthesis.
Answer (2)
Analyze the number of bubbles produced at different temperatures.
Observe that the number of bubbles increases from 1 0 ∘ C to 2 5 ∘ C , indicating an increase in the rate of photosynthesis.
Note that the number of bubbles decreases from 2 5 ∘ C to 4 0 ∘ C , indicating a decrease in the rate of photosynthesis.
Conclude that temperature initially increases the rate of photosynthesis. T e m p er a t u re in cre a ses t h er a t eo f p h o t osy n t h es i s .
Explanation
Understanding the Problem We are given a table that shows the number of bubbles produced in 30 seconds at different temperatures. The number of bubbles produced is an indicator of the rate of photosynthesis. We need to determine how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis based on the given data.
Listing the Data At 1 0 ∘ C , 6 bubbles are produced in 30 seconds. At 2 5 ∘ C , 19 bubbles are produced in 30 seconds. At 4 0 ∘ C , 14 bubbles are produced in 30 seconds.
Comparing Rates at 10 and 25 Degrees Comparing the rate of photosynthesis at 1 0 ∘ C and 2 5 ∘ C , we see that the number of bubbles produced increases from 6 to 19. This indicates that the rate of photosynthesis increases as the temperature increases from 1 0 ∘ C to 2 5 ∘ C .
Comparing Rates at 25 and 40 Degrees Comparing the rate of photosynthesis at 2 5 ∘ C and 4 0 ∘ C , we see that the number of bubbles produced decreases from 19 to 14. This indicates that the rate of photosynthesis decreases as the temperature increases from 2 5 ∘ C to 4 0 ∘ C .
Conclusion From the given data, we can conclude that the rate of photosynthesis increases as the temperature increases from 1 0 ∘ C to 2 5 ∘ C , but then decreases as the temperature increases from 2 5 ∘ C to 4 0 ∘ C . Therefore, the rate of photosynthesis does not always increase or decrease with temperature. The initial increase suggests that temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis, but the subsequent decrease indicates that there's an optimal temperature, beyond which the rate decreases.
Final Answer Based on the analysis, the statement "Temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis" is the most accurate choice, as it reflects the initial trend observed between 1 0 ∘ C and 2 5 ∘ C .
Examples
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy. The rate of photosynthesis is affected by various factors, including temperature. Understanding how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis is important for optimizing plant growth in agriculture. For example, farmers can use this knowledge to adjust the temperature in greenhouses to maximize crop yields. Similarly, in ecological studies, understanding the temperature dependence of photosynthesis helps predict how plant communities will respond to climate change. The principles observed here apply broadly to enzyme-catalyzed reactions in biological systems, where temperature affects reaction rates.
Temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis from 1 0 ° C to 2 5 ° C , as indicated by the increase in bubbles produced. Beyond 2 5 ° C , the rate decreases at 4 0 ° C . Thus, the answer is A. Temperature increases the rate of photosynthesis.
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