Question

How much ATP are required in C4 cycle?

Answer 1

C₄ cycle:

1. A different, very effective route that plants in low-carbon dioxide environments employ to transform carbon dioxide into a form the plants can use during photosynthesis.
2. For the 6CO₂ molecules to be fixed during the C₄ cycle of photosynthesis, a total of 30 ATPs are needed.
3. The bundle sheath cells, which are part of the C₄ pathway, also go through the C₃ cycle.
4. For the C₃ cycle to repair 6CO₂, 18 ATPs are needed. Additionally, PEP serves as the main CO₂ acceptor in the mesophyll cells where CO₂ is originally fixed during the C₄ cycle.
5. It takes 12 more ATPs than the C₃ cycle to replenish this PEP because an additional 2 ATPs are needed for every CO₂ molecule fixed.