Question

Photorespiration does not occur in what type of plants?

• A. $C_4$ plants
• B. $C_3$ plants
• C. $C_2$ plants
• D. None of the above

Answer 1

The correct option is A $C_4$ plants

Photorespiration depends on relative concentration of oxygen and carbon dioxide gases. The $C_4$ plants have a unique krantz anatomy with agranal chloroplasts in bundle sheath cells. These plants maintain high concentration of carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath cells and absence of grana ensures no release of oxygen due to photolysis. Thus photorespiration is absent in $C_4$ plants. The $C_3$ plants do not show these adaptations and hence show photorespiration process.