Question

Which of the following is a C4 plant?

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

Hint:

Photosynthetic pathways:
C3 Pathway: Most common (e.g., rice, wheat, cotton, beans).
C4 Pathway: Adapted to hot, sunny climates, more efficient under these conditions (e.g., sugarcane, maize, sorghum, amaranth). C4 plants often have Kranz anatomy and suppress photorespiration.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Plants can be broadly classified based on their photosynthetic pathways, primarily into C3 and C4 plants.
C3 plants: The first product of carbon fixation is a 3-carbon compound (3-phosphoglycerate). Most plant species are C3 plants, including rice, wheat, cotton, soybeans, and most trees.
C4 plants: The first product of carbon fixation is a 4-carbon compound (oxaloacetate). C4 plants have a specialized leaf anatomy (Kranz anatomy) and are generally more efficient in photosynthesis under high light intensity, high temperatures, and arid conditions. They minimize photorespiration. Let's evaluate the options:
(1) Rice (Oryza sativa): A C3 plant.
(2) Wheat (Triticum aestivum): A C3 plant.
(3) Cotton (Gossypium spp.): A C3 plant.
(4) Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum): A classic example of a C4 plant. Other C4 plants include maize (corn), sorghum, and many tropical grasses. Therefore, sugarcane is the C4 plant among the given options. Sugarcane