Maharashtra BoardEnglish MediumSTD 11 ScienceBiologyPhotosynthesis4 Marks
Question
Give significance of $C _4$ pathway.
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Answer
$1. \ C_4$ plants have special type of leaf anatomy called Kranz anatomy.
$2.$ In $C_4$ plants, $CO_2$ fixation occurs twice.
$3.$ In these plants, chloroplasts of mesophyll cells contain enzyme $\text{PEP}$ carboxylase which fixes atmospheric $CO_2.$ Thus, first $CO_2$ fixation occurs in mesophyll cells.
$4.$ Decarboxylation of malic acid in bundle sheath cells results in increase in $CO_2$ concentration.
$5.$ Thus, $RuBisCO$ acts as carboxylase and brings about carboxylation of $RuBP.$
$6.$ Due to this oxygenation of $RuBP$ and photorespiration is prevented.
$7.$ Thus, despite of having less number of bundle sheath cells carrying out Calvin cycle, $C_4$ plants are highly productive.
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