Question

In photorespiration, what is the function of RuBisCO?

Answer 1

Photorespiration:

1. Photorespiration is the wasteful chemical process where the enzyme RuBisCO oxygenates RuBP with the release of carbon dioxide.
2. Photorespiration is influenced by high temperature as well as light intensity.
3. Light and temperature accelerate the formation of glycolate and the flow through the photorespiratory pathway.

Function of Rubisco(ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase) in photorespiration :-

1. RuBisCo catalyses the carboxylation of RuBP which accepts CO₂ in the Calvin cycle.
2. In photorespiration, RuBisCO catalyses the oxygenation of RuBP to one molecule of PGA and phosphoglycolate.