Question

When the temperature is increased from minimum to optimum, rate of photosynthesis doubles for every _______ rise in temperature.

• A. $1^{o}C$
• B. ${10}^{o}C$
• C. ${20}^{o}C$
• D. ${30}^{o}C$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

${10}^{o}C$

The rate of photosynthesis usually increases with an increase in temperature up to ${40}^{o}C$. Above this temperature, the rate of photosynthesis starts decreasing due to the inactivation of enzymes. The minimum temperature at which most plants start photosynthesis is $0^o-5^{o}C$ but it can be as low as - ${20}^{o}C$ for lichens and - ${35}^{o}C$ for some gymnosperms.The maximum temperature at which photosynthesis can occur is ${55}^{o}C$ in some desert plants and ${75}^o$ for hot spring algae. When the temperature is increased from minimum to optimum, the rate of photosynthesis doubles for every ${10}^{o}C$ rise in temperature.

So, the correct answer is (B).