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Question
Why photorespiration does not take place in C4 plants?
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Solution
Bundle sheath cells :
● C4 plants have two different cells involved in photosynthesis. These are bundle sheath cells and mesophyll cells.
● In the C4 plant these mesophyll cells are clustered around the bundle sheath cells and form a shape that is similar to the wreath.
● In mesophyll cells, there is an enzyme present called PEP carboxylase which fixes the atmospheric carbon dioxide with PEP to form an oxaloacetic acid.
● In this way, C4 plants concentrate CO2 before it reaches bundle sheath cells (where the RubisCo enzyme is present) and enters the Calvin cycle.
● Thus there is no loss due to photorespiration in C4 plants as RubisCo is forced to act as a carboxylase and not oxygenase, as the concentration of carbon dioxide is high in the bundle sheath cells.
● C4 plants have two different cells involved in photosynthesis. These are bundle sheath cells and mesophyll cells.
● In the C4 plant these mesophyll cells are clustered around the bundle sheath cells and form a shape that is similar to the wreath.
● In mesophyll cells, there is an enzyme present called PEP carboxylase which fixes the atmospheric carbon dioxide with PEP to form an oxaloacetic acid.
● In this way, C4 plants concentrate CO2 before it reaches bundle sheath cells (where the RubisCo enzyme is present) and enters the Calvin cycle.
● Thus there is no loss due to photorespiration in C4 plants as RubisCo is forced to act as a carboxylase and not oxygenase, as the concentration of carbon dioxide is high in the bundle sheath cells.
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