Conclusion – C3 and C4 Pathways
Most of the plants show the C3 mechanism for carbon fixation during photosynthesis. However, one of the important enzymes involved in carbon fixation RuBisCO has both carboxylase and oxygenase activity. And during certain conditions, instead of acting as carboxylase, RuBisCO acts as oxygenase leading to photorespirations that will result in loss of huge energy. To avoid additional loss of energy through photorespiration, plants have evolved a C4 mechanism which will avoid the losses during photosynthesis. Although C3 plants are more common in nature than C4 plants, C4 plants are found to have more photosynthetic activity due to more efficient use of CO2 and light. Understanding the mechanisms of C3 and C4 mechanisms will help in the increase in productivity of plants.
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C3 and C4 Pathways
C3 and C4 are photosynthetic pathways present in terrestrial plants. C3 plants use the C3 pathway or Calvin cycle, and C4 plants use the C4 pathway, or Hatch-Slack pathway, for the dark reaction of photosynthesis. Photosynthesis is the process in which different bacteria like cyanobacteria and eukaryotes like green plants, and algae can convert solar energy to chemical energy. In this process, solar energy is absorbed and used to synthesize carbohydrates from carbon dioxide and water.
Table of Content
- What are C3 and C4 Pathways?
- C3 Pathway
- C4 Pathway
- Difference Between C3 and C4 Pathway
- FAQs on C3 And C4 Pathways