Is this statement true?

Question

The greater the concentration of bicarbonate ions the faster the rate of photosynthesis.

What is the effect of bicarbonate ion concentration on photosynthesis?

Answer 1

That statement is not true...the presence of bicarbonate ions does not increase the rate of photosynthesis. Bicarbonate is the reduced form of carbon dioxide, and you need carbon dioxide (NOT bicarbonate) to begin photosynthesis. The presence of bicarbonate ions acts as a kind of feedback inhibition, a signal that photosynthesis is already progressing and carbon dioxide is successfully being reduced to bicarbonate. Bicarbonate ions don't prevent photosynthesis from continuing, but they definitely don't speed up the process.

Answer 2

I would assume that the key is CO2, since this is a reactant for photosynthesis. Bicarbonate ion (HCO3-) is a reactant in many acid/base reactions that produce CO2.

Hope this helps.

Coast girl is incorrect, as bicarbonate is READILY oxidized to CO2. Actually, many plants and algae have evolved mechanisms to import and oxidize bicarbonate to increase CO2 concentrations.

A quick entry of bicarbonate and photosynthesis on google will show you many sites that will confirm this (try http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?artid=166561)

Answer 3

No this statement is not true

the statement should be

The greater the concentration of HYDROGEN ions the faster the rate of photosynthesis.

Bicarbonate is not required in the process