TOPIC 6: PHOTOSYNTHESIS

PART A: STRUCTURE QUESTIONS

6.1 Overview of photosynthesis
6.2 Absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments

UPS PDT4 2016/2017

1) Figure 1 shows the cross -section of an organelles.

Figure 1

a) Name the redox process that occur in this organelles. [1 mark]

Photosynthesis

b) What is the role of the various pigments in membranes of P in 1(a)? [1 mark]

Trap light/absorb light

c) In which regions of the visible light spectrum the main pigment of P primarily interacts? [2 marks]
violet blue & red light

d) Why the majority of plants appears green? [1 mark]

Chlorophyll reflect green pigment

e) Name two products of the light dependent reaction phase that are later used in Q. [2 marks]
ATP and NADPH
6.3 Light dependent reaction

PSPM PST 2019/2020

2) a) Give two(2) stage of photosynthesis. [2 marks]

i. light reaction / light dependent reaction
ii. Calvin cycle / light independent reaction

b) Figure 2 shows the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis.

Figure 2
i. State the site where this process takes place. [1 mark]
Thylakoid membrane

ii. What is the role of NADPH produced in this reaction? [1 mark]

As a reducing agent/as an electron donor/To reduce 3-phosphoglycerate/PGA to glyceraldehyde-3-
phosphate/G3P/PGAL

iii. Identify and explain the importance of Y in this process. [3 marks]

Y is an photoactivated electron
Importance:
Used indirectly in ETC to synthesize ATP via Chemiosmosis / used indirectly in ETC to create proton motive
force across the membrane
To reduce NADP+ into NADPH + H+
PSPM PST 2017/2018
3) Figure 3 shows two types of electron flow during the photophosphorylation process.

Figure 3
a) Identify photophosphorylation Type M and Type N [2 marks]
M : Non-cyclic
N : Cyclic

b) Where does photophosphorylation occur in chloroplast? [1 mark]

Thylakoids (membrane)

c) Name the substrate involved in Type M and Type N photophosphorylation [1 mark]

ADP and Pi

d) Give the role of light in photophosphorylation [2 marks]

To excite electron // photoactivation
Photolysis of water

e) What is the condition for each Type M and Type N to occur? [2 marks]
M : light / photon and water N : light / photon
Figure
 f) Paraquat is a herbicide that prevents the flow of electrons from PSI which will cause severe damage to chloroplast and
reduces oxygen to a chemically reactive superoxide radical. There is also a crop plant that is reported to acquire
resistance towards such herbicides. What are advantages of the plants having such traits? [2 marks]
Able to carry out photophosphorylation / produce ATP and NADPH // Light dependent reaction /
photosynthesis takes place
Chloroplast is not damaged will be able to pass resistant traits to its offspring.

PSPM PST 2018/2019

4) a) Figure 4 shows one of the routes for electron flow in photosynthesis.

Figure 4

i) What is the importance for the route of electron flow in FIGURE 4? [1 mark]
To generate ATP for Calvin cycle

ii) Give two (2) differences between the route in FIGURE 4 with non-cyclic electron flow. [2 marks]
Cyclic Non-cyclic

No oxygen produced Oxygen produced

Only ATP produced ATP and NADPH produced

Only photosystem I involved Photosystem I and photosystem II involved

Photolysis of water doesn’t occur Photolysis of water occur

Last electron acceptor is P700/PSI Last electron acceptor is NADP+

Source of electron is from P700/PSI Source of electron is from photolysis of water

PSPM PST 2020/2021

5) a) Figure 5 shows the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis.2020/2021

Figure Figure 5
i. State the site where this process takes place. [ 1 mark]
Thylakoid membrane

ii. What is the role of NADPH produced in this reaction? [1 mark]

As a reducing agent/as an electron donor/To reduce 3-phosphoglycerate/PGA to glyceraldehyde-3-
phosphate/G3P/PGAL

PSPM PST 2004/2005

6) Figure 6 shows the schematic diagram of light reaction of photosynthesis

Figure 6

a) This reaction take place at which part of chloroplast? [1 mark]

Thylakoid membrane

b) Name the substances labelled X and Y [2 marks]

X: 2H+ , Y: Water / H20

c) Name the center of reaction at photosystem I and photosystem II [2 marks]

Photosystem I: Chlorophyll a, P700 / pigment P700
Photosystem II: Chlorophyll a, P680 /’pigment P680

d) What is the function of NADPH produced in Figure 6? [1 mark]

 Reducing agent during carbon dioxide reduction

e) The light reactions involved are cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. Name the first electron donor and the last
electron acceptor for both process [4 marks]

THE FIRST ELECTRON DONOR LAST ELECTRON ACCEPTOR

Cyclic Photosystem I//(chlorophyll) P700 Photosystem I(chlorophyll) P700
Non cyclic Water / H2O NADP+

PSPM PDT 2013/2014

7) Figure 7 shows the summary of the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis.

Figure
Figure 7
a) Name the substance A and B. [2 marks]
A: Primary electron acceptor
B: Plastocyanin

b) Name the processes M and N. [2 marks]

M: Oxidation
N: Photolysis of water

c) Where do PS I and PS II occur? [1 mark]

Thylakoid membrane

d) State the source of electron for non-cyclic photophosphorylation. [1 mark]

Photolysis of water

e) Give TWO differences between cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation in photosynthesis. [4 marks]
Non-Cyclic- photophosphorylation Cyclic photophosphorylation
Both photosystem I and II are used Use photosystem I only
-Photolysis of water occur and O2 is formed as
-Photolysis water is not occur.
by- product.
-Produce ATP and NADPH + H+ -Produce ATP only
-Final electron/terminal electron acceptor is
-Final electron/terminal electron acceptor is PSI
NADP+
-Primary electron Donor/source is Water -Primary electron donor/source is PSI
6.4 Light independent reaction/ Calvin cycle

PSPM SDS 2021/2022

8) (a) FIGURE 8 below shows a graph of concentration of two different molecules involve in Calvin Cycle.

FIGURE 8
(i) Where does Calvin Cycle occur in C3 plants? [1 mark]
Stroma of chloroplast (of mesophyll cell)

(ii) What is the product from light dependent reaction required to produce one glucose molecule from
Calvin cycle? [2 marks]
18 ATP
12 NADPH (+ H+)

(iii) Why concentration of 3-phosphoglycerate become high during light independent reaction? [1 mark]
Carbon fixation occur// Ribulose bisphosphate/RuBP bind/attach with CO2 occur
(iv) Why the Calvin cycle cannot occur when there is no light? [2 marks]
Light dependent reaction does not occur
No ATP and NADPH (+H+) produce// Regeneration of ATP and NADPH does not occur

(v) Predict what will happen to glucose concentration when there is no light. [1 mark]
(Glucose concentration) decrease/ reduce
PSPM SES 2021/2022
9. FIGURE 9 below shows two stages involve in photosynthesis.

FIGURE 9
(a) Identify molecule M and N in FIGURE 15. [2 marks]
M: water/H2O
N: carbon dioxide/CO2

(b) Name cycle P. [1 mark]

Calvin (cycle)

(c) Describe carbon fixation phase in cycle P. [3 marks]

i. carbon dioxide binds/fixed/combine/attach with RuBP
ii. catalyzed by RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase/rubisco.
iii. forming unstable 6C (intermediate) compound /molecule
iv. (Which immediately split) to form 2 molecules of 3-phosphoglycerate / glycerate-3-
phosphate/PGA
*no. of molecules must tally

6.5 Alternative mechanism of carbon fixation: C4 and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathways.

PSPM PST 2018/2019

10. Figure 10 shows a part of a light independent reaction that occurs in C4 plants.

Figure 10

Name cell M. [1 mark]

Bundle sheath cell k

a) How is N converted to malate? [1 mark]

N is reduced/received hydrogen ion from R / NADPH
 b) Why are P and R not produced at night? [2 marks]
Cyclic/ Non-cyclic photophosphorylation / light dependent reaction stopped/does not occur
Photoactivation does not occur
Absence/ Inactive NADP+ reductase

c) Predict two (2) advantages of having enzyme X for C4 plants. [2 marks]

Can fix CO2 even during low concentration of CO2
Enzyme X has higher affinity towards CO2// Enzyme X does not bind to O2//prevent photorespiration

11. Plant species that live in hot and dry environment possess adaptations to facilitate carbon fixation are known as C4 and
CAM plants.

a) Give one example of C4 plant. [1 mark]

Sugarcane /corn

b) Give one(1) advantage of C4 plants over C3 plants. [1 mark]

Can reduce photorespiration.

PSPM PST 2005/2006

12. Figure 11 shows carbon fixation pathways in plants.

Figure 11

a) Name the type of plant that use both cycles D and E. [1 mark]
C4 plants // CAM plants Figure
b) Name the substances labelled F, G and X. [3 marks]
F: Phosphoenolpyruvate / PEP
G: malate / malic acid pe
X: carbon dioxide / CO2
 c) Name the enzymes which catalyse the fixation of X in both cycles. [2 marks]
Enzyme for D : PEP carboxylase // Phosphoenol pyruvate carboxylase
Enzyme for E : RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase // Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase// Rubisco

d) State the name and function of Y. [2 marks]

Y : NADPH
Function: reducing agent / to reduce OAA to malate // electron donor

e) How will hot and dry condition negatively affect the function of RuBP in plant without cycle D? [2 marks]
RuBP fails to fix CO2 / RuBP binds with O2
Photorespiration increases / / photosynthetic output decreases

PSPM PST 2009/2010

13. a) Figure 12 shows the photosynthetic processes that occur in cell I and cell II.

Figure 12

a) Name the type of cell I and cell II. [2 marks]

Cell I: mesophyll (cell)
Cell II: Bundle sheath (cell)

b) Name the molecules J and K. [2 marks]

Molecule J: Oxaloacetate/Oxaloacetic Acid/ OAA
Molecule K: Malate/ Malic acid

c) State the type of plants undergoes the process of photosynthesis as in FIGURE 12. [1 mark]
C4 plants

d) State process L and name the enzyme that catalyses the process. [2 marks]
Process L: Calvin cycle
Enzyme: ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase

b) i) Name the process that occurs in cell II if carbon fixation process is inhibited by oxygen. [1 mark]
Photorespiration

ii) How does the process in (b) i lowers the efficiency of photosynthesis in cell II? [1 mark]
By preventing the formation of 3-phosphoglycerate/ 3-phosphoglyceric acid/3-PGA molecules

iii) State the type of plants that fix CO2 into organic acids at night and carry out the light reaction during the day. [1 mark]
CAM/ crassulacean acid metabolism plants
PSPM PDT 2012/2013
14. Figure 13 shows metabolism cycle of the plant X.

Figure
Figure 13

a) Name the mechanism of carbon fixation of plant X. [1 mark]

CAM pathway

b) State the advantages of plant X. [2 marks]

Overcome photorespiration
Normal production of photosynthesis product although in hot and dry condition
Plants in desert conditions can make photosynthesis
Make sugar without drying out
Reduce water lost

c) Substance Y is required to convert OAA to substance Z. Identify Y and Z. [2 marks]

Y: NADPH
Z: Malate

d) i) Name cycle W. [1mark]

Calvin cycle

ii) List THREE phases of this cycle. [3 mark]

Carbon dioxide fixation
Carbon dioxide reduction
RuBP regeneration

iii) State ONE product from this reaction. [1mark]

Sugar/starch/Glyceraldehyde – 3 – phosphate
PSPM PST 2014/2015
15. Figure 14 shows carbon fixation and Calvin cycle in plant A and plant B.

FigureFigure 14
a) Both plants in Figure 14 have adaptations that facilitate carbon fixation. State THREE factors that cause these
adaption. [3 marks]
Photorespiration
Hot and dry environment
The closure of stomata (to reduce water loss diminishes the supply of CO2)

b) Name the types of separation adapted by plant A and plant B. [2 marks]

Plant A: Spatial separation / split in place / space/ location Plant B: Temporal separation / split in time

c) Name the type of plant A and plant B in Figure 14. [2 marks]

Plant A: C4 plant
Plant B: CAM plant / Crassulacean acid metabolism

d) Give ONE similarity and ONE difference based on carbon fixation between the two types of plants in Figure 14.[2 marks]
Similarity:
CO2 is first incorporated by PEP into oxaloacetate / OAA //
The enzymes used in the fixation of carbon in the both plants is PEP carboxylase

Difference:
In C4 plant, carbon fixation take place in the mesophyll cell and bundle sheath cell while in CAM plant, carbon
fixation occurs only in mesophyll cell

e) Give ONE example for plant B. [1 marks]

Cactus / pineapple
PSPM PDT 2014/2015
16. FIGURE 15 shows a Hatch-Slack pathway found in many tropical plants.

Figure 15
i) Name cell X and cell Y. [2 marks]
Cell X: Mesophyll cell
Cell Y: Bundle sheath cell

ii) Why photosynthesis is difficult for most plant in the very hot condition and dry environments such as the desert?
[2 marks]
Stomata closed to prevent water loss via transpiration causing concentration CO2 become low
Photorespiration occurs
Photosynthetic outputs reduce / low

iii) What is the advantage of C4 pathway in the photosynthesis process? [1 mark]

Able to minimize / reduce the photorespiration

iv) State TWO differences between the chloroplast in cell X and cell Y. [2 marks]
Chloroplast in cell X has large well develop grana while chloroplast in cell Y has a few (small and poorly
develop) or absent of grana
Chloroplast in cell X do not contain starch grains while chloroplast in cell Y contain large starch grains
Chloroplast in cell X has high activity of photosystem II but chloroplast in cell Y has low activity of
photosystem II

v) Name the CO2 acceptor in: [2 marks]

Cell X: Phosphoenolpyruvate / PEP
Cell Y: Ribulose bisphosphate / RuBP

vi) Give ONE example of plant that has this pathway. [1 mark]
Sugarcane / corn
PSPM SDS 2021/2022

17. In C4 plants, carbon dioxide fixation occurs twice catalyzed by two different enzyme, RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase
(Rubisco) and PEP carboxylase. Differentiate between the two enzymes in this plant. [2 marks]

RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase /Rubisco PEP carboxylase

Catalyse fixation of carbon dioxide/ CO2 with Catalyse fixation of carbon
RuBP to form 3-phosphoglycerate dioxide/CO2 with phosphoenolpyruvate/PEP to
produce oxaloacetate

Has low affinity to CO2 when CO2
concentration is low// Binds to O2 when CO2
concentration is low
Found in bundle sheath cell (of C4 plant)
Catalyze (second) carbon fixation in Calvin
cycle//
Has high affinity to CO2 even when CO2
concentration is low// Binds to CO2 even when
CO2 concentration is low
Found in mesophyll cell (C4 plant)
Catalyze (first) carbon fixation in C4 pathway/
Hatch-Slack pathway

PART B: ESSAY
6.1 Overview of photosynthesis
6.2 Absorption spectrum of photosynthetic pigments

PSPM PST 2016/2017

a) What is meant by photosynthesis and write the equation of photosynthesis. [5 marks]
− The synthesis of organic compounds from carbon dioxide and water.
− With the aid of light energy/photon/sunlight
− Captured/absorbed by photosynthetic pigments/chlorophyll
6.3 Light dependent reaction
PSPM PST 2007/2008
a) Describe the light dependent reaction in photosynthesis [10 marks]
i. Consists of cyclic and non-cyclic photophosphorylation.
ii. Occurs in chloroplast/ grana/ thylakoid membrane.
iii. Light absorbed by photosynthetic pigments/ antenna complexes/ chlorophyll a, (b and carotenoid)/ PS II/
P680
iv. Light energy/ photon transferred to the reaction centre/chlorophyll a.
v. Electron (in the reaction centre) get excited and moved to the primary electron acceptor/ phaeophytin//
redox reaction.
vi. Through ETC// electron carriers// plastoquinone, cytochrome complex and plastocyanin.
vii. Energy released is used to synthesis ATPs// Chemiosmosis.
viii. Electron lost from PS II is replaced by electron from water photolysis.
ix. At the same time, PS I/ P700 absorbed light energy and released its electron.
x. Through ETC// electron carriers/ Ferrodoxin.
xi. Accepted by NADP+ to form NADPH// NADP+2e-+2H+→ NADPH + H+
xii. Electron lost from PS I is replaced by electron from PS II.
xiii. Oxygen is the by-product.
xiv. The electron from ferredoxin can be transferred to the electron carriers/ Plastoquinone, Cytochrome
complex and Plastocyanin.
xv. and return to PS I to stabilized it.
xvi. ATP is generated via cyclic photophosphorylation.

PSPM PST 2016/2017

b) Describe the flow of electron in non-cyclic photophosphorylation. [10 marks]
i. Light energy is absorbed by ( antenna pigment) PSI/P700 and PSII/P680
ii. Electron at PSI /P680 become photoactivated/high energy/photoexcited /photoactivated/high
energy/photoexcited electron captured by primary electron acceptor PSII /P680 become electron deficient/
unstable/P680+
iii. Photolysis water occurs//H2O 🡪 1/2 O2+ 2e+ 2H+
iv. Electron from photolysis of water will replace the loss of electron from PSII/P680 (electron from primary
electron acceptor) pass through electron transport chain /etc // plastoquinone, cytochrome complex and
plastocyanin
v. at the same time PSI/P700 releases its Photoactivated electron to primary electron acceptor electron from
PSII/P680 will be replace the loss electron in P700 /PSI
vi. electron pass trough second ETC /Ferredoxin and acceptor by NADP+ to form NADPH catalysed by NADP+
reductase
PSPM PST 2016/2017
c) State FIVE (5) difference between cyclic photophosphorylation and non-cyclic photophosphorylation. [5marks]

Non-Cyclic- photophosphorylation Cyclic photophosphorylation

Both photosystem I and II are used Use photosystem I only
-Photolysis of water occur and O2 is formed as waste
-Photolysis water is not occurred.
product.
-Produce ATP and NADPH + H+ (and oxygen) -Produce ATP only
-Final electron/terminal electron acceptor is
-Final electron/terminal electron acceptor is PSI
NADP+
-Primary electron Donor/source is Water -Primary electron donor/source is PSI
Electron travel in non-cyclic do not return to reaction Electron travel in a cycle return to reaction
center. center
Oxygen is produced Oxygen is not produced
6.4 Light independent reaction/ Calvin cycle

PSPM PDT 2017/2018

a) Discuss light independent reactions in the stroma of chloroplast [12 marks]

i. Carboxylation // carbon (dioxide) fixation

ii. A carbon dioxide from the atmosphere diffuses through the stomata into the intracellular space of the leaf
iii. It then diffuses into the stroma in the chloroplast (of the palisade and spongy mesophyll cells)
iv. A five carbon acceptor ribulose bisphosphate ((RuBP) combines with a molecule of carbon dioxide to form
unstable six carbon sugar / 3-keto-2-carboxyarabinitol 1,5-biphosphate
v. The process is catalysed by the enzyme RuBP carboxylase/ RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase/ Rubisco
vi. The molecule immediately splits into 2 molecules of 3 carbon compound / glycerate-3- phosphate/ 3-
phosphoglycerate/3-PGA
vii. Reduction (phase)
viii. Glycerate-3-phosphate/ 3-phoshoglycerate/3-PGA accept one phosphate from ATP to form 1,3-
bisphophoglycerate
ix. 1,3- bisphophoglycerate accepts electrons from NADPH+ H+ to form phosphoglyceraldehyde / PGAL/triose
phosphate / G3P /glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate
x. NADP+ and ADP are regenerated to be used in light dependent reactions
xi. Regeneration of CO2 acceptor/RuBP
xii. Some of the phosphoglyceraldehyde / PGAL/triose phosphate / G3P /glyceraldehyde-3- phosphate molecules
are rearranged in a series of complex reactions to regenerate ribulose bisphosphate
xiii. The process requires energy from ATP
xiv. Ribulose bisphosphate/ RuBP regenerated is used as an acceptor of carbon dioxide

PSPM PST 2010/2011

b) Explain how plants convert CO2 from the atmosphere into a sugar molecule. [10 marks]
i. CO2 is fixed with RuBP molecule//carboxylation
ii. Catalysed by RuBP carboxylase/Rubisco
iii. Forming 3-phosphoglycerate/PGA/glycerate-3-phosphate
iv. One phosphate group (from ATP) is added to 3-phosphoglycerate/PGA/glycerate-3- phosphate
v. to form 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate/glycerate 1,3-bisphosphate
vi. NADPH reduces 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate/glycerate 1,3-bisphosphate
vii. to form glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate/G3P/PGAL
viii. Some glyceraldehydes-3-phosphate/G3P/PGAL are used to regenerate RuBP
ix. and one molecule is used to make the sugar molecule
x. 6 molecules of CO2 are needed to fix (produce) one molecule of sugar
xi. For CAM and C4 plants undergo Hatch-Slack pathway
xii. CO2 fix with PEP to form OAA
xiii. Catalyze by PEP carboxylase
xiv. OAA is reduced into malate
xv. Malate converted to pyruvate and CO2 - CO2 enter Calvin Cycle

PSPM PDT 2014/2015

c) Describe briefly the phases involved in Calvin cycle [10 marks]
i. Phase 1=Carbon fixation
ii. Each CO2 molecule is attached to a five-carbon sugar, ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP).
iii. This is catalyzed by RuBP carboxylase - oxygenase or rubisco.
iv. The six-carbon (6C) unstable intermediate immediately splits in half to form two (3C) molecules of 3-
phosphoglycerate (PGA) per CO2.
 v. Thus, for every three CO2 molecules that enter the Calvin cycle via rubisco, three RuBP molecules are
carboxylated forming 6 molecules of PGA

vi. Phase II- carbon reduction

vii. An enzyme phosphorylates PGA by transferring a phosphate group from ATP. This reaction:
viii. Produces 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
ix. Uses 6 ATP molecules to produce 6 molecules of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate
x. Primes 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate for the addition of high energy electrons from NADPH
xi. Electrons from NADPH reduce the carboxyl group of 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate to the aldehyde group of
G3P
xii. The NADP+ and ADP formed in this process return to the thylakoids to regenerate NADPH and ATP in the
light reactions.
xiii. For every three CO2 molecules that enter the Calvin cycle, six G3P molecules are produced.
xiv. Only one molecule of G3P is used to generate sugar.
xv. The other five G3P molecules must remain in the cycle to regenerate three molecules of RuBP in order
for the cycle to continue.

xvi. Regeneration RuBP

xvii. A complex series of reactions rearranges the carbon skeletons of five G3P molecules into three RuBP
molecules
xviii. These reactions require three ATP molecules
xix. RuBP is thus regenerated to begin the cycle again

PSPM PST 2013/2014

d) Describe carbon fixation in Calvin cycle for C3 plant. [10 marks]
i. C3 plants fix carbon from the atmosphere
ii. Carbon fixation occur in stroma
iii. Present in the chloroplast
iv. It consist of a single reaction
v. CO2 reacts with RuBP / Ribulose bisphosphate
vi. Which is phosphorylated 5C compound
vii. The reaction is catalysed by Rubisco / Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase
viii. Product is 6 – carbon intermediate compound
ix. Which immediately breakdown / which is unstable
x. Forming two molecules of PGA / 3 – phosphoglycerate
xi. The fixed carbon molecule forms the carbon skeleton in carbohydrate / conversion of inorganic to organic
compound.
6.5 Alternative mechanism of carbon fixation: C4 and Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) pathways.

PSPM PDT 2017/2018

a) Differentiate the process of carbon dioxide fixation between hibiscus and corn plants [8 marks]

Hibiscus
Operates C3 cycle / Calvin cycle/C3
plant/Hatch-Slack cycle absent
The primary CO2 acceptor is Ribulose
bisphosphate/ RuBP a 5 carbon compound //
CO2 acceptor is Ribulose bisphosphate
(RuBP a 5
Carbon compound)
The first stable product is a 3 carbon
compound, Phosphoglyceric acid / 3-
phosphoglycerate (PGA)
The enzyme is RuBP carboxylase- oxygenase
Single CO2 fixation
Carbon fixation occurs in mesophyll cells
only
CO2 fixation is slow and less efficient
Fixation of 1 molecule of CO2 requires 3 ATP
and 2 NADPH
Kranz/Krantz anatomy is absent
Cannot operate under very low CO2
concentration
Oxygen has inhibitory effect of
photosynthesis // More photorespiration
Corn
Operates C3 cycle / Calvin cycle/C3
plant/Hatch-Slack cycle absent
The primary CO2 acceptor is phosphoenol
pyruvate (PEP, a 3 Carbon compound)// CO2
acceptor is Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP a
5 Carbon compound) and
Phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP, a 3
Carbon compound)
The first stable product is a 4 carbon
compound, Oxaloacetic acid/
Oxaloacetate (OAA)
The enzyme are PEP carboxylase and RuBP
carboxylase-oxygenase
Double CO2 fixation
First carbon fixation occurs in mesophyll
cells and followed by bundle sheath cells
CO2 fixation is fast and more efficient
Fixation of 1 molecule of CO2 requires 5 ATP
and 3 NADPH
The leaves have Kranz/Krantz anatomy
Can operate under very low CO2
concentration
Oxygen has no inhibitory effect of
photosynthesis // Less photorespiration

PSPM PST 2019/2020

b) Compare carbon fixation in C4 and CAM plants. [3 marks]

SIMILARITIES
i. Both C4 and CAM plant add CO2 into organic intermediates before it enters the Calvin cycle.
ii. CO2 acceptor for both plants involve phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) and RuBP.
iii. Both use enzyme PEP carboxylase and RuBP carboxylase oxygenase during carbon fixation.

DIFFERENCES
i. In C4 plant 1st carbon fixation occurs in mesophyll cell and second carbon fixation occurs in bundle
sheath cell while in CAM PLANT both carbon fixation occurs in mesophyll cell.
ii. In C4 plant both carbon fixation occurs during day while in CAM plant 1st carbon fixation occur during
night and second carbon fixation occur during day
iii. Point i and ii // in C4 plant Carbon fixation and the Calvin Cycle are spatially separated while in CAM plant
Carbon Fixation are temporally separated
 PSPM 2020/2021
c) Explain how C4 plants convert C02 into a glucose molecule. [7 marks]
i. CO2 reacts/fix/attach/bind with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) in the mesophyll cells catalyses by PEP
carboxylase
ii. to form oxaloacetate/oxaloacetic acid (OAA).
iii. OAA will be converted/reduce to malate/malic acid (4C)
iv. (Malate)transported to bundle sheath cells
v. Malate/Malic acid converted/undergoes decarboxylation to pyruvate (3C)
vi. and releasing CO2 to enter Calvin cycle
vii. CO2 reacts/fix/attach/bind with RuBP to form 3- phosphoglycerate/PGA catalyze by rubisco/RuBP
carboxylase-oxygenase
viii. PGA is converted to glyceraldehyde 3- phosphate/G3P/PGÁL in reduction phase) (3-phosphoglycerate
undergoes phosphorylation to form 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate, followed by reduction and 1,3-
bisphosphoglycerate undergoes dephosphorylation and reduction to form G3P
ix. G3P/PGAL form glucose PGÁL

**Penalize once for OAA and PEP molecule if use short form/abbreviation

PSPM PST 2006/2007

d) Describe the differences between C3 and C4 plants [10 marks]

C3 C4
Carbon dioxide Once Twice
fixation In mesophyll cells In mesophyll and bundle sheath cells
Carbon dioxide Phosphoenol pyruvate/PEP and
acceptor Ribulose bisphosphate/ RuBP Ribulose bisphosphate /RuBP
Phosphoenol pyruvate/PEP carboxylase/
Enzyme Ribulose bisphosphate/RuBP Ribulose
carboxylase/ Rubisco bisphosphate/RuBP carboxylase

RuBP carboxylase less efficient in fixing RuBP carboxylase more efficient in fixing
carbon dioxide carbon dioxide
Bundle sheath Non photosynthetic/no
cells chlorophyll/chloroplast Photosynthetic/possess chlorophyll

First product
formed Glycerate 3-phosphate Oxaloacetate

Efficiency of
photosynthesis Less More

Photorespiration High Low

Leaf anatomy ’Kranz’ anatomy absent ’Kranz’ anatomy present
Chloroplast Only one type of chloroplast Two forms or/of/type chloroplast
Carbon fixation Hatch- Slack pathway//C4 pathway and
pathway Calvin cycle only Calvin cycle
PSPM PST 2011/2012
e) Describe carbon fixation in C4 plants. [10 marks]
i. C4 pathway is also called Hatch-Slack pathway
ii. CO2 reacts with phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) (in the mesophyll cells) to form oxaloacetate (OAA)
iii. Catalyses by PEP carboxylase
iv. OAA will be converted/ reduce to malate (C4)
v. Transported to bundle sheath cells
vi. Malate converted to pyruvate (3C)
vii. Releasing CO2
viii. CO2 + RuBP →PGA/3-phosphoglycerate
ix. Ribulose biphosphate carboxylase / RuBP carboxylase / Rubisco fixes CO2
x. In Calvin cycle
xi. Pyruvate is transported back to mesophyll cell
xii. Converted to PEP (using energy from ATP)
xiii. C4 plants have adaptation to fix CO2 efficiently

PSPM PDT4 2015/2016

f) Differentiate photosynthesis in C3 and C4 plants . [12 marks]
C3 plants C4 plants
CO2 fixation occur once CO2 fixation occur twice
First in mesophyll cell and then in bundle sheath
Occurs only in mesophyll cell
cell
CO2 acceptor is Phosphoenolpyruvate / PEP (3C)
CO2 acceptor is Ribulose bisphosphate / RuBP
in mesophyll cell and Ribulose bisphosphate /
(5C)
RuBP (5C) in bundle sheath cell
Catalysed by RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase Catalysed by PEP carboxylase and RuBP
(Rubisco) / Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase (Rubisco) / Ribulose-1,5-
carboxylase-oxygenase bisphosphate carboxylase-oxygenase
Produce Glycerate-3-phosphate / 3 –
Produce oxaloacetate (4C) as first intermediate
phosphoglycerate (3C) as first intermediate
product
product