Question

Which is a C₄ plant?

• A. Cotton
• B. Maize
• C. Wheat
• D. Rice

Hint:

C4 plants are more efficient in hot and dry environments compared to C3 plants because they minimize water loss and photorespiration, which is why maize, sugarcane, and sorghum are considered C4 plants.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

C₄ plants are a group of plants that use a special pathway called the C₄ pathway for photosynthesis. This pathway helps them efficiently fix carbon dioxide, especially in hot and dry conditions. The C₄ pathway is advantageous because it reduces photorespiration, a process that wastes energy, in hot climates. Maize is a typical C₄ plant, which is well-adapted to high temperatures and can carry out photosynthesis more efficiently under such conditions.
Cotton and wheat are C₃ plants, which use the basic Calvin cycle for carbon fixation.
Rice is also a C₃ plant, commonly found in tropical areas and characterized by its use of the Calvin cycle for photosynthesis.

Thus, maize is the correct example of a C₄ plant.