Compensation point

The light compensation point (Ic) is the light intensity on the light curve where the rate of photosynthesis exactly matches the rate of cellular respiration. At this point, the uptake of CO2 through photosynthetic pathways is equal to the respiratory release of carbon dioxide, and the uptake of O2 by respiration is equal to the photosynthetic release of oxygen. The concept of compensation points in general may be applied to other photosynthetic variables, the most important being that of CO2 concentration – CO2 compensation point (Γ).Interval of time in day time when light intensity is low due to which net gaseous exchange is zero is called as compensation point. In assimilation terms, at the compensation point, the net carbon dioxide assimilation is zero. Leaves release CO2 by photorespiration and cellular respiration, but CO2 is also converted into carbohydrate by photosynthesis. Assimilation is therefore the difference in the rate of these processes. At a given partial pressure of CO2 (0.343 hPa in 1980 atmosphere), there is an irradiation at which the net assimilation of CO2 is zero. For instance, in the early morning and late evenings, the light compensation point Ic may be reached as photosynthetic activity decreases and respiration increases. The concentration of CO2 also affects the rates of photosynthesis and photorespiration. Higher CO2 concentrations favour photosynthesis whereas low CO2 concentrations favor photorespiration, producing a CO2 compensation point Γ for a given irradiation. As defined above, the light compensation point Ic is when no net carbon assimilation occurs. At this point, the organism is neither consuming nor building biomass. The net gaseous exchange is also zero at this point. Ic is a practical value that can be reached during early mornings and early evenings. Respiration is relatively constant with regard to light, whereas photosynthesis depends on the intensity of sunlight.