Start learning →

Blackman's law of limiting factors says that

Aevery factor must be at maximum simultaneously
Bdoubling any one factor doubles the rate regardless of others
Cplants ignore CO₂ if temperature is below freezing
Dthe rate is set by whichever factor is in shortest supply
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: D. the rate is set by whichever factor is in shortest supply
Blackman (1905) formalised the bottleneck principle: a multi-input process runs at the rate of its slowest-supplied input. Doubling other inputs has no effect until the limiting factor changes. Once you increase the limiting one, the new limit shifts to whichever is now the bottleneck.
Practise this question with Quill — AP Intermediate 1st Year →

Keep practising Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Browse all Photosynthesis in Higher Plants questions for AP Intermediate 1st Year, or explore more Biology topics.

Start a Photosynthesis in Higher Plants lesson →