Question
Photorespiration reaction catalyzed by RuBisCo is shown below : RuBP + O_2 3-Phosphoglycerate + X Identify “X” from the given options :
NEET
Botany
Photosynthesis in Higher Plants
2026
NEET 2026 (Re-NEET)
NEET Botany Question (2026) — Solution
Options
- A. Malate
- B. Phosphoenolpyruvate
- C. 2-Phosphoglycolate
- D. Oxaloacetate
Answer
C. 2-Phosphoglycolate
Step-by-step solution
In photorespiration, the enzyme RuBisCo acts as an oxygenase. It catalyzes the oxygenation of Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP) to form one molecule of a 3-carbon compound, 3-phosphoglycerate, and one molecule of a 2-carbon compound, 2-phosphoglycolate. The reaction is: RuBP + O_2 3-Phosphoglycerate + 2-Phosphoglycolate Thus, the product X is 2-Phosphoglycolate. Answer: 2-Phosphoglycolate
Related: Botany — Photosynthesis in Higher Plants · All PYQ Banks