How many additional molecules of ATP are required for the synthesis of two molecules of glucose in Maize as compared to Wheat?

Step-by-step solution

Maize is a C₄ plant and Wheat is a C₃ plant. In C₃ plants, the synthesis of one molecule of glucose requires 18 ATP. In C₄ plants, the synthesis of one molecule of glucose requires 30 ATP (an additional 2 ATP per CO₂ fixed are needed for the regeneration of PEP in mesophyll cells). The additional ATP required by Maize to synthesize one molecule of glucose is 30 - 18 = 12 ATP. For the synthesis of two molecules of glucose, the additional ATP required is 12 2 = 24 . Calculating the difference for only one glucose mol