Question

what are the differences between C3 and C4 plants?​

Answer 1

Answer:

C3 plants:

1. The first stable intermediate product is 3- carbon acid:- phosphoglyceric acid.
2. Photosynthetic functions occur only in mesophyll cells – on the surface of the leaves
3. C3 requires cool and wet environments.
4. 95% of the green plants are C3 plants.
5. Examples include rice, wheat, oats, barley, cotton, peanuts, tobacco, sugar beets, soybeans and spinach.
6. Leaves of these plants DO NOT show Kranz anatomy.
7. C3 Plants are common in temperate climates.
8. C3 plants exhibit only granal type of chloroplast
9. Carbon dioxide fixation occurs only once.
10. All the steps of dark reaction take place in mesophyll cells.
11. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis is comparatively lower than that of C4 plants
12. C3 photosynthesis is the oldest and the most common
13. Photorespiration is not suppressed
14. Carbon dioxide fixation is slow.
15. Photosynthesis occurs when stomata are open

C4 plants:

1. The first stable intermediate product is a 4 carbon acid:- oxaloacetate (which is then reduced to malate)
2. Photosynthetic functions occur in mesophyll and bundle sheath cells.
3. C4 requires tropical and dry environments.
4. 5% of the green plants are C4 plants.
5. Examples include Maize, Sugarcane, pearl millet, sorghum
6. Leaves of these plants show Kranz anatomy.
7. C4 plants are common in tropical climates.
8. C4 plants exhibit granal as well as agranal type of chloroplast
9. Carbon dioxide fixation occurs twice.
10. The initial steps are carried out in mesophyll cells and the subsequent steps are carried out in bundle-sheath cells.
11. The optimum temperature for photosynthesis is comparatively higher than C3 plants
12. C4 photosynthesis is a recent phenomenon, emerging after C3 photosynthesis
13. Photorespiration is suppressed
14. Carbon dioxide fixation is faster.
15. Photosynthesis occurs even when stomata are closed.