Affecting Factors of Respiration may either be external or internal:
External Factors:
- Temperature: Below 20 C and above 45 C the rate of respiration reduces. The optimum temperature for respiration is 20 C – 45 C.
- Oxygen: If the amount of oxygen is reduced the rate of respiration will reduce.
- Water: Optimum supply of water maintains the rate of respiration normal. The rate of respiration reduces for a scarcity of water.
- Light: The stomata open in light, so the rate of respiration comparatively high in the daytime.
- Carbon dioxide: With the increase of CO2 in a air, a rate of respiration decreases slightly.
Internal Factors:
- Food materials: During respiration food materials break to release water and CO2. So the quality and quantity of food materials in the cell regulates the rate of respiration.
- Age of cell: Rate of respiration is maximum in young cells especially in meristematic cells (as there is much protoplasm).
- Enzymes: Different reactions of respiration need different kinds of enzymes. The process completely depends on their presence.
- Inorganic salts: Rate of respiration increases if there are more inorganic salts in the cell.