NEETBotanyPhotosynthesis in Higher Plants
What is the main biosynthetic pathway used by C4 plants?
Options
- ACAM pathway
- BCalvin cycle (C3 pathway)
- CGlycolysis
- DKrebs cycle
Correct answer
B. Calvin cycle (C3 pathway)
Step-by-step solution
Plants that are adapted to dry tropical regions have the C4 pathway mentioned earlier. Though these plants have the C4 oxaloacetic acid as the first CO2 fixation product they use the C3 pathway or the Calvin cycle as the main biosynthetic pathway. C4 plants are special: They have a special type of leaf anatomy, they tolerate higher temperatures, they show a response to high light intensities, they lack a process called photorespiration and have greater productivity of biomass. Let us understand these one by one.