Question

C₄ plants have evolved a way to minimize photorespiration occurring. Explain what these plants do to avoid photorespiraton occurring.

Answer 1

Answer:-

Photorespiration is an extravagant pathway. This process happens when the enzyme named Rubisco performs its function on oxygen instead of carbon dioxide. plants have evolved a way to minimize photorespiration occurring by segregating Carbon dioxide fixation and Calvin cycle which results the cycle to raise the concentration of CO2 inside the cells of bundle sheath from breaking down of malate ( malate comes from mesophyll cells), since, atmospheric carbon dioxide is converted into oxaloacetate by PEP carboxylase and this oxaloacetate is converted into malate which is then carried into bundle sheaths instead of oxygen. The enzyme Rubisco starts acting on high and local concentration of carbon dioxide and the enzyme won't be able to bind with the oxygen and oxygen levels would not be raised. As carbon dioxide is being fixed by the enzyme Rubisco, later Calvin cycle convert the CO2 into sugars. This whole process continues like this and hence, C4 plants avoid photorespiration occurring.

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