Isidro Chan February 14, 2019 Dr.

Jorge Trejo

C4 PLANTS “Synopsis”

In C4 plants, the light-dependent reactions and the Calvin cycle are physically separated, with
the light-dependent reactions occurring in the mesophyll cells (spongy tissue in the middle of the
leaf) and the Calvin cycle occurring in special cells around the leaf veins. These cells are
called bundle-sheath cells. To see how this division helps, let's look at an example of C4
photosynthesis in action. First, atmospheric CO2 is fixed in the mesophyll cells to form a
simple, 44-carbon organic acid (oxaloacetate). This step is carried out by a non-rubisco enzyme,
PEP carboxylase, that has no tendency to bind O2. Oxaloacetate is then converted to a similar
molecule, malate, that can be transported in to the bundle-sheath cells. Inside the bundle sheath,
malate breaks down, releasing a molecule of CO2. The CO2 is then fixed by rubisco and made
into sugars via the Calvin cycle, exactly as in C3 photosynthesis.

This process isn't without its energetic price: ATP must be expended to return the three-carbon
“ferry” molecule from the bundle sheath cell and get it ready to pick up another molecule of
atmospheric CO2. However, because the mesophyll cells constantly pump CO2 into neighboring
bundle-sheath cells in the form of malate, there’s always a high concentration of CO2 relative
to O2 right around rubisco. This strategy minimizes photorespiration. The C4 pathway is used in
about 3% of all vascular plants; some examples are crabgrass, sugarcane and corn. C4 plants are
common in habitats that are hot, but are less abundant in areas that are cooler. In hot conditions,
the benefits of reduced photorespiration likely exceed the ATP cost of moving CO2 from the
mesophyll cell to the bundle-sheath cell.
Isidro Chan February 14, 2019
Differences between C3 plants photosynthesis and C4 plants photosynthesis.
C3 Plants
1. C3 plants uses C3 cycle or Calvin
Cycle for dark reactions of
photosynthesis.
2. First stable product in C3 cycle is a 3
carbon (3C) compound-
Phosphoglyceric Acid (PGA)
3. In C3 plants, the carbon dioxide
fixation takes place only at one place.
4. C3 plants can perform photosynthesis
only when the stomata are open
5. The optimum temperature for
photosynthesis in C3 plants is very
low.
6. Less efficient in Photosynthetic
energy fixation
7. Photorespiration rate is very high
8. The carbon dioxide compensation
point is high (about 50 ppm)
9. Do not have the Kranz Anatomy
10. Possess only one CO2 acceptor
Dr. Jorge Trejo
C4 Plants
C4 plants uses C4 cycle or Hatch-Slack
Pathway for the dark reaction of
photosynthesis.
First stable product in C4 cycle is a 4 carbon
(4C) compound- Oxaloacetic Acid (OAA).
In C4 plants, the carbon dioxide fixation takes
places twice (one in mesophyll cells, second
in bundle Sheath cells.)
C4 plants can do photosynthesis even in the
closed condition of stomata.
The optimum temperature for photosynthesis
in C4 plants is high.
More efficient in photosynthesis
Photorespiration is altogether absent (if
present very little).
The carbon dioxide compensation point is low
(2 to 5 or even 0 ppm).
Show the Kranz Anatomy
Possess two CO2 acceptors
Isidro Chan February 14, 2019 Dr. Jorge Trejo

KRANZ ANATOMY
Isidro Chan February 14, 2019 Dr. Jorge Trejo

 Digram shows the outline of C4 pathway coupled with C3 fixation of carbon dioxide.
The carbn dioxide from air to bundle sheat is shown, together with final fixation of
carbon dioxide into the C3 acid GP.
The net result of the C4 pathway is the use of two high energy phosphate bonds form ATP to
transport carbon dioxide and hydrogen from the mesophyll cells to the chloroplast of the bundle
sheath cells. Since the transport requires energy from ATP, it can be regarded as a pumping
mechanism.