What are C3 and C4 Pathways?
C3 and C4 are photosynthetic processes found in terrestrial plants. The alternative pathway to the Calvin cycle is C4, and C3 is also referred to as the Calvin cycle. As the initial byproduct of carbon dioxide fixation, most plants generate 3-phosphoglyceric acid (PGA), a 3-carbon acid. This kind of process is referred to as the Calvin cycle or C3 pathway. A C4 plant begins the Calvin-Benson cycle of photosynthesis by fixing CO2 into a molecule with four carbon atoms. The Hatch-Slack route is another name for the C4 pathway.
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