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A factor in the environment that by its presence or absence, or increase or decrease will govern the behaviour of an organism or a metabolic process within an organism. Most metabolic processes depend on more than one factor being present in order to proceed. When all other conditions are favourable, the factor nearest its minimum value is the limiting factor. For example, when a plant photosynthesizes on a warm sunny day in a moist environment, the amount of carbon dioxide available in the air will be the limiting factor. As evening approaches, light will become the limiting factor.
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