Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
Which are the two main forms of photosynthesis found in plants?
A
Aerobic and anaerobic photosynthesis
B
Light-dependent and light-independent photosynthesis
C
Oxidative and reductive photosynthesis
D
C3 and C4 photosynthesis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand that photosynthesis is the process by which plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose molecules.
Recognize that there are two main forms of photosynthesis in plants: C3 and C4 photosynthesis. These forms differ in how they fix carbon dioxide during the Calvin cycle.
C3 photosynthesis is the most common form and occurs in plants where the first stable product of carbon fixation is a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA).
C4 photosynthesis is an adaptation found in certain plants that thrive in hot and dry environments. These plants initially fix carbon dioxide into a four-carbon compound, oxaloacetate, which is later converted into malate or aspartate before entering the Calvin cycle.
Understand that the distinction between C3 and C4 photosynthesis lies in the biochemical pathway used to fix carbon dioxide, which helps plants optimize photosynthesis under different environmental conditions.