compensation point

views updated May 23 2018

compensation point The point reached in a plant when the rate of photosynthesis is equal to the rate of respiration. This means that the carbon dioxide released from respiration is equivalent to that which is taken up during photosynthesis. The compensation point is reached as light intensity increases. If the light intensity is increased beyond the compensation point, the rate of photosynthesis increases proportionally until the point of light saturation is reached, beyond which the rate of photosynthesis is no longer affected by light intensity.

compensation point

views updated May 11 2018

compensation point The concentration of carbon dioxide at which there is a balance in a given plant between the amount of carbon dioxide given out by respiratory processes and that taken up by photosynthesis.

compensation point

views updated Jun 27 2018

compensation point The concentration of carbon dioxide at which there is a balance in a given plant between the amount of carbon dioxide given out by respiratory processes and that taken up by photosynthesis.

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