โ๏ธ Photosynthesis is the process in which plants use to turn light, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars that fuel plant growth
๐ฑ ๐จ3๏ธโฃ The majority of plant species undergo C3 photosynthesis, in which the first carbon compound produced contains three carbon atoms.
However, this process is hindered by the following events:
-> Rubisco enzyme aims to fix CO2, but can also fix oxygen molecules, which creates a toxic two-carbon compound in a process called photorespiration.
-> When stomata are open to let CO2 in, they are prone to water vapor loss, which is a huge disadvantage in drought and high-temperature environments.
๐๏ธ Some plants have evolved another form of photosynthesis to help reduce these losses in hot and dry environments.
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๐ฑ๐จ4๏ธโฃ In C4 photosynthesis, where a four-carbon compound is produced, unique leaf anatomy allows carbon dioxide to concentrate in ‘bundle sheath’ cells around Rubisco.
๐ฝ C4 plants – including maize, sugarcane, and sorghum – avoid photorespiration by using PEP enzyme during the first step of carbon fixation.
๐ฌ Specific anatomy of C4 plant leaves enables the delivery of CO2 straight to Rubisco, effectively removing its contact with oxygen and the need for photorespiration.
๐ท Image: Comparison of C3 and C4 plants (source: K. Meacham-Hensold, University of Illinois, plant anatomy drawings by Ninghui Shi; image design byย Content Farmers).
Article by : Michaล Sลota (Business Development ๐| R&D ๐ฌ| Biotechnologist ๐| Biologist ๐ฑ| Doctor of Medical Science ๐ | Content creator โ๏ธ| Science communicator ๐ฃ๏ธ)
