C4 plants ultimately use RUBISCO, yet have lower rate of photo respiration than do C3 plants. Why?

C4 plants prevent photorespiration because they increase the concentration of CO2 at the site where the enzyme RUBISCO is present. ​ RUBISCO uses up oxygen only when concentration of oxygen is more than that if carbon dioxide at the site where enzyme is present.The Cacid in the mesophyll cells are broken to produce CO2 in the bundlesheath cells not in the mesophyll cells themselves. This increases the intracellular concentration of carbon dioxide and ensures that the carboxylase activity of ​ RUBISCO is maintained and oxygenase activity does not start.

  • 5
What are you looking for?