What is the difference between C3 and C4 plants?
C3 plants: C3 plants are those in which the first result of carbon dioxide assimilation through photosynthesis is 3-phosphoglycerate, which has three carbon atoms.
C4 plants: A C4 plant fixes CO2 into a four-carbon molecule before beginning the Calvin-Benson cycle of photosynthesis. The Hatch–Slack pathway is another name for the C4 pathway. It's one of three newly found photosynthetic carbon fixation mechanisms in plants.
C3 plants | C4 plants |
---|---|
1. C3 plants use the Calvin cycle for dark reactions. | 1. C4 plants use the Hatch-Slack cycle for dark reactions. |
2. Leaves lack kranz anatomy. | 2. Leaves possess kranz anatomy. |
3. A single Carbon dioxide fixation occurs. | 3. Double Carbon dioxide fixation occurs. |
4. Dark reaction is carried out by mesophyll. | 4. Dark reaction is carried out by both mesophyll and bundles of Sheath cells. |
5. Chloroplasts are monomorphic | 5. Chloroplasts are dimorphic. |