C4 Photosynthesis

AP Biology
Unit 4

Review: C3 Photosynthesis
During regular
photosynthesis, CO2 is
trapped into a 3-carbon
compound by Rubisco
C3 Photosynthesis
This 3 carbon compound
then goes through the
calvin cycle to produce
glucose (eventually)

C4 Photosynthesis
Certain plants go through a slightly
modified photosynthesis process (C4
Photosynthesis)
C4 Photosynthesis is an adaptation that
evolved due to the environment these plants
are in.

Rubisco
ALL plants have it and use it for the Calvin
Cycle.
Rubisco usually reacts with CO2, but it can
also react with O2 2 competing reactions.

Competing Reactions
Rubisco can react with CO2 (Carboxylase
Reaction) good for glucose output
CH 2OPO32C O

CO 2

H C OH
H C OH
CH 2OPO32Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate

O-

H C OH
CH 2OPO323-Phosphoglyc erate

O-

H C OH
CH 2OPO 323-Phosphoglyc erate

Competing Reactions
Rubisco can also react with O2 (Oxygenase
Reaction)
not good for glucose output
Even though CO2 is eventually regenerated, it
wastes time and energy (occupies Rubisco)
CH 2OPO32C O

O2

H C OH
H C OH
CH 2OPO32Ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate

O-

H C OH
CH 2OPO323-Phosphoglyc erate

CH 2OPO32O

O-

Phosphoglyc olate

Photorespiration
When Rubisco reacts with O2 instead of
CO2
Occurs under the following conditions:
High O2 concentrations
High heat

Photorespiration is estimated to reduce

photosynthetic efficiency by 25%

Why high heat?

When it is hot, plants close their stomata to
conserve water
They continue to do photosynthesis use
up CO2 and produce O2 creates high O2
concentrations inside the plant
photorespiration occurs

C4 Photosynthesis
Certain plants have developed ways to limit
the amount of photorespiration
C4 Pathway*
CAM Pathway*
* Both convert CO2 into a 4 carbon intermediate
C4 Photosynthesis

Leaf Anatomy
In C3 plants (those that do C3
photosynthesis), all photosynthesis
processes occur in the mesophyll cells.
Mesophyll cells

Bundle sheath cells

(no photosynthesis

Image taken without permission from http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire|

C4 Pathway
In C4 pathway plants
photosynthesis occurs in
both the mesophyll and
the bundle sheath cells.
Light reactions in
mesophyll
Calvin Cycle in Bundle
sheath

Image taken without permission from http://bcs.whfreeman.com/thelifewire|

C4 Pathway
CO2 is fixed into a 4carbon intermediate
first
Has an extra enzyme
PEP Carboxylase that
initially traps CO2
instead of Rubisco
makes a 4 carbon
intermediate

C4 Pathway
The 4 carbon
intermediate smuggles
CO2 into the bundle
sheath cell
The bundle sheath cell is
not very permeable to
CO2
CO2 is released from the
4C molecule goes
through the Calvin Cycle

C3 Pathway

How does the C4 Pathway limit

photorespiration?
Bundle sheath cells are far from the
surface less O2 access
PEP Carboxylase doesnt have an affinity
for O2 allows plant to collect a lot of CO2
and concentrate it in the bundle sheath cells
(where Rubisco is)

CAM Pathway
Fix CO2 at night and
store as a 4 carbon
molecule
Keep stomates closed
during day to prevent
water loss
Same general process
as C4 Pathway
Has the same leaf
anatomy as C3 plants

How does the CAM Pathway

limit photorespiration?
Collects CO2 at night so that it can be more
concentrated during the day
Plant can still do the calvin cycle during the
day without losing water

Summary of C4 Photosynthesis
C4 Pathway
Separates by
space (different
locations)

CAM Pathway
Separates
reactions by time
(night versus day)

 Light intensity is
directly related to
temperature
C4 Plants (CAM
and C4 Pathway)
are able to do more
photosynthesis at
high temperatures

Net Photosynthesis (mg CO 2/dm2/hr)

Comparison

Light Intensity (cal/cm2/min)