Decrease in Net Photosynthesis Caused by Respiration

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Abstract
CO2 exchange between air and leaf is conceived as a current along a resistor with a respiratory current, unaffected by CO2 concentration, entering the resistor. The conclusion follows that a plant placed in an atmosphere free of CO2 will increase the CO2 concentration to the compensation concentration along a curve determined by the resistor and the volume of the atmosphere. This was verified. Also a photosynthesis rate calculated from the parameters of the observed curve agreed with an independent observation of photosynthesis in CO2-free air. The decrease in net photosynthesis caused by respiration is, according to the model, the CO2 compensation concentration divided by the concentration in the atmosphere.