Question:

Give comparison between the following: 
  1. C3 and C4 pathways 
  2. Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation 
  3. Anatomy of leaf in C3 and C4 plants

Updated On: Nov 20, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

a. C3 and C4 pathways 

 Cpathways Cpathways
1The primary acceptor of CO2 is RUBP – a six-carbon compound.1The primary acceptor of CO2 is phosphonyl pyruvate – a three-carbon compound.
2The first stable product is 3-phosphoglycerate.2The first stable product is oxaloacetic acid.
3It occurs only in the mesophyll cells of the leaves.3It occurs in the mesophyll and bundle-sheath cells of the leaves.
4It is a slower process of carbon fixation and photo-respiratory losses are high.4It is a faster process of carbon fixation and photo-respiratory losses are low.

b. Cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation

 Cyclic photophosphorylation Non-cyclic photophosphorylation
1It occurs only in photosystem I.1It occurs in photosystems I and II.
2It involves only the synthesis of ATP2It involves the synthesis of ATP and NADPH2.
3In this process, electrons move in a closed circle.3In this process, electrons move in a closed circle.

c. Anatomy of leaf in C3 and C4 plants

 C3 leaves C4 leaves
1Photorespiration occurs1Photorespiration does not occur.
2RuBisCo is present in the mesophyll cells.2RuBisCo is present in the bundle-sheath cells.
3The first stable compound produced is 3-phosphoglycerate –a three-carbon compound.3The first stable compound produced is oxaloacetic acid – a four-carbon compound.
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Concepts Used:

C4 Pathway

  • Every photosynthetic plant moves according to the Calvin cycle, but in some plants, there is a primary stage to the Calvin Cycle called the C4 pathway. Plants in tropical desert regions commonly move accordingly to the C4 pathway. Here, a 4-carbon compound called oxaloacetic acid (OAA) is the first product of carbon fixation. Such plants are special and have specific adaptations as well.
  • The C4 pathway commences with a molecule called phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) which is a three-carbon molecule. This is the primary CO2 acceptor and the carboxylation, that takes place with the help of an enzyme called PEP carboxylase. They yield a 4-C molecule known as oxaloacetic acid (OAA).
  • In due course, it is converted into another 4-carbon compound called malic acid. Later, they are shifted from mesophyll cells to bundle sheath cells. Here, OAA is crumbled to yield carbon dioxide and a 3-C molecule.
  • The CO2 thus formed, is utilized in the Calvin cycle, whereas the 3-C molecule is shifted back to mesophyll cells for regeneration of PEP.
  • Sugarcane, corn, and shrubs are some examples of plants that follow the C4 pathway. Calvin pathway is a very common pathway in both C3 plants and C4 plants, but it takes place only in the mesophyll cells of the C3 Plants and not in the C4 Plants.