Question

An example of C₄ plants is

• A. Maize
• B. Rice
• C. Wheat
• D. Potato

Answer 1

The correct option is A

Maize

The correct option is A.

Explanation for the correct option:

1. C4 plants are those that convert carbon dioxide into a molecule with four carbons in sugar.
2. Oxaloacetic acid makes up the majority of this first stable 4-carbon molecule.
3. In hot, dry conditions, these plants produce a lot of energy and are quite effective.
4. The mesophyll cells are arranged in a ring-like pattern around the bundle-sheath cells in the Kranz anatomy of C4 plants.
5. The bundle-sheath cells have a greater number of chloroplasts than the mesophyll cells.
6. This is present in certain dicots and C4 grasses, including maize.
7. Compared to C₃ plants, they are more effective in photosynthesis.
8. Sugarcane, maize, and other C₄ plants are examples.

Explanation for the incorrect options:

Option B

1. Rice is a C3 plant.
2. The C3 photosynthetic route, which is utilized by rice, is far less effective in hot, dry settings than the C4 pathway, which is used by other plants like maize and sorghum.

Option C

1. Wheat is a C3 plant.
2. Wheat uses the C3 pathway for photosynthetic activity which is less efficient in the hotter and dry environment compared with C4 plants.

Option D

1. Potato is a C3 plant. Most terrestrial plants, such as many significant crops like potatoes, are classed as C3 plants because they directly absorb atmospheric CO2 through the C3 photosynthetic pathway.
2. Its efficiency in a dry environment will be less since it is a C3 plant while comparing it with C4 plants.

Final answer: An example of C₄ plants is maize.