In: Biology
Global CO2 concentration is rising rapidly. Which type of plants are more likely to benefit from the increased CO2 concentration?
C3 plants benefit most.
Reason why?
Plants fix carbon dioxide with the help of an enzyme Rubisco. It catalyzes the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate and produce two molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate. Rubisco has a dual property it can also add molecular oxygen to the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate, resulting in the formation of one molecule of 3-phosphoglycerate and 2-phosphohlycolate. 2-phosphoglycolate is metabolised through photorespiration. Photorespiration not only consumes energy but also causes net loss of CO2.
This property of Rubisco is a remnant of the evolutionary
history when the atmosphere had high CO2 concentration
and low oxygen concentration. C4 photosynthesis is a way developed
by certain plants to cope up with this problem. C4 plants have
evolved various anatomical and bio chemical adaptations to increase
CO2 concentration around the Rubisco.
Rise in global CO2 concentration is having a positive effect on the photosynthesis of C3 plants since high CO2 concentration is capable of reducing the futile process of photorespiration. A doubling of CO2 may increase photosynthesis rates by as much as 30-100%.