1 Most cases of COPD, and therefore emphysema, are caused by cigarette smoking. 2  Emphysema is rarely caused by a congenital condition known as Î±1-antitrypsin deficiency, for which there is a lab test. 3  Shortness of breath and cough are the main symptoms of emphysema.
Most plants, most algae, and cyanobacteria perform photosynthesis; such organisms are called photoautotrophs. Photosynthesis is largely responsible for producing and maintaining the oxygen content of the Earth's atmosphere, and supplies all of the organic compounds and most of the energy necessary for life on Earth.
Factors affecting photosynthesis. Three factors can limit the speed of photosynthesis: light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration and temperature. Without enough light, a plant cannot photosynthesise very quickly, even if there is plenty of water and carbon dioxide. Increasing the light intensity will boost the speed of photosynthesis.