Exemplar Problems

Question:

Why photorespiration does not take place in C4 plants?

Answer:

In C4 plants have the mechanism to concentrate CO2 in the bundle sheath cells. The C4 acid from the mesophyll cells enters the bundle sheath cells where it is decarboxylated releasing CO2 in the bundle sheath cells. The bundle sheath cells consist of the enzyme RubisCo that takes part in the calvin cycle. Bundle sheath cells are also impervious to gasses and there is not build up of oxygen,thus creating a high CO2 concentration that favours the carboxylation by RubisCo.