Multiple Choice
Which statement is true about the CAM pathway in plants?
244
views
9. Photosynthesis
C3, C4 & CAM Plants
Struggling with General Biology?
Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
What is a characteristic of C4 plant leaves?
A
They lack bundle sheath cells.
B
They have a high rate of photorespiration.
C
They have a specialized structure called Kranz anatomy.
D
They perform photosynthesis only at night.
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that C4 plants have a unique adaptation to minimize photorespiration, which is a wasteful process that occurs when the enzyme RuBisCO fixes oxygen instead of carbon dioxide.
Recognize that C4 plants have a specialized leaf anatomy known as Kranz anatomy. This structure is characterized by the presence of bundle sheath cells that surround the vascular bundles.
In C4 plants, the initial fixation of CO2 occurs in the mesophyll cells, where it is converted into a four-carbon compound (hence the name C4). This compound is then transported to the bundle sheath cells.
Within the bundle sheath cells, the four-carbon compound releases CO2, which is then used in the Calvin cycle to produce sugars. This spatial separation of steps helps reduce photorespiration.
Note that C4 plants do not perform photosynthesis only at night; that is a characteristic of CAM plants. C4 plants are adapted to high light intensities, high temperatures, and dryness, often found in tropical environments.
Related Videos
Related Practice
C3, C4 & CAM Plants practice set
Problem sets built by lead tutorsExpert video explanations