PHOTOSYNTHESIS AS A FUNCTION OF LIGHT INTENSITY AND OF TEMPERATURE WITH DIFFERENT CONCENTRATIONS OF CHLOROPHYLL

Abstract

1. Photosynthesis reaches its maximum rate at about the same light intensity over the whole range of chlorophyll concentrations studied. 2. Over this range the process shows the same relationship to temperature. The value of the temperature characteristic decreases gradually as the temperature rises. 3. The rate of photosynthesis is more depressed by prussic acid the lower the chlorophyll concentration. 4. These results are interpreted as indicating that photosynthesis possibly involves an autocatalytic reaction, and that chlorophyll must play some part in the process in addition to its rôle in the absorption of light.