Question

By looking at which internal structure of a plant can you tell whether a plant is C3 or C4? Explain.

Answer 1

Answer:

The leaves of C4 plants have a special anatomy called Kranz anatomy. This makes them different from C3 plants. Special cells, known as bundle-sheath cells, surround the vascular bundles. These cells have a large number of chloroplasts. They are thick-walled and have no intercellular spaces. They are also impervious to gaseous exchange. All these anatomical features help prevent photorespiration in C4 plants, thereby increasing their ability to photosynthesise.

Answer 2

Answer:

Though plants which are adapted to dry tropical climate have the C4 pathway, they do not show any external morphologic characteristics. Hence it is not possible to say whether the plant is C3 and C4 by looking at its external appearance.