NEETBotanyPhotosynthesis in Higher Plants
A plant species shows initial CO ₂ fixation in cells that possess PEPcase but completely lack the RuBisCO enzyme. Which of the following statements is incorrect regarding this plant?
Options
- AIts primary CO ₂ acceptor is a 5-carbon compound.
- BIt possesses Kranz anatomy in its leaves.
- CIt can tolerate higher temperatures compared to C ₃ plants.
- DIt shows a negligible rate of photorespiration.
Correct answer
A. Its primary CO ₂ acceptor is a 5-carbon compound.
Step-by-step solution
The plant described performs initial CO ₂ fixation in cells possessing PEPcase but lacking RuBisCO. This is a defining characteristic of the mesophyll cells of C ₄ plants. C ₄ plants exhibit special leaf anatomy called Kranz anatomy, tolerate higher temperatures, and show a negligible rate of photorespiration due to their internal CO ₂ concentrating mechanism. In C ₄ plants, the primary CO ₂ acceptor is phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), which is a 3-carbon compound. A 5-carbon compound (RuBP) acts as the primary acceptor