Significance of C4 Cycle
- The C4 cycle increases the photosynthetic yield two to three times more than C3 plants.
- C4 plants perform a high rate of photosynthesis even when stomata are nearly closed.
- The C4 cycle increases the adaptability of C4 plants to high temperatures and light intensities.
- They can grow very well in saline soil because of C4 organic acid.
- CO2 from the atmosphere is fixed by the enzyme PEP carboxylase, which results in the formation of the 4-carbon compound oxaloacetate and hence called the C4 cycle.
- Plants having the C4 cycle are mainly from tropical and subtropical regions and are able to survive in environments with low CO2 concentrations.
C4 Plants
C4 plants are those that use the C4 pathway for photosynthesis. Usually, they are monocots. They are only found in angiosperms. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is initially integrated into a 4-carbon compound that’s the reason why it is called C4. Photosynthesis takes place both in bundle sheath cells and mesophyll cells. The carbon dioxide acceptor is PEP carboxylase. The compound which is stable and initially formed is oxaloacetic acid, a four-carbon compound. Photorespiration does not occur.