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 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 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.