introduction
What are the characteristics of the C3 plant?
The thin C3 plant is considered the most orange group. This plant has the most normal state of photosynthesis, and with a change in the general weather conditions, it will, like a rose, photo respire.
The C3 plant carries out photosynthesis in its interleaf cell, and the sheath cell has no chloroplasts, it has neither dicotyledonous nor monocotyledonous leaves, this characteristic is found in both species.
You know that the decision of Rubisco to have a relationship with oxygen or Co2 causes it to happen in different plants of these classifications, and the C3 plant betrays it very much because as soon as Rubisco has no CO2, it enters into a relationship with O2 and absorbs it in Calvin’s cycle rises under his head. Light respiration does the same thing.
What’s the bad thing about it? It consumes ATP, consumes the products of photosynthesis, and becomes a consumptive plant that gradually dries up and dies.
C3 plants include wheat, barley, soursop, oats, and cheese.
Which plants show tolerance to high-temperature C3 or C4?
Plants can photosynthesize using light, and the presence of this light is very important for them.
Since plants, unlike animals, are unable to move, it can increase their resistance or destroy them if they find themselves in unfavorable conditions or are threatened by danger.
When plants are exposed to unfavorable environmental conditions such as high light intensity, excessive heat, or a lack of Co2 or elevated O2, they can photo respire and die on their own.
For this reason, plants are divided into three categories: C3, C4, and CAM plants, based on the photosynthetic processes they perform to improve their resilience.
The reason for the name is the number of molecular carbons that are only formed through carbon fixation.
In the normal state of a C3 plant, for example, carbon dioxide forms a three-carbon acid after it has combined with ribose phosphate and broken down, which makes the plant a C3 plant.
What are the characteristics of the C4 plant?
This plant has learned from the experience of the C3 plant and tries to enclose the Rubisco enzyme in the chloroplast of the vascular sheath cell so that it can only be seen there.
You heard correctly: C4 plants have chloroplasts in their vascular sheath cells and carry out the Calvin cycle there.
When CO2 enters the cell, it is immediately stabilized in the chloroplast of the mesenchymal cell and forms tetracarboxylic acid with an enzyme other than Rubisco, which is not interested in oxygen and is loyal to CO2. So the reason they say C4 is because our first stable substance here has four carbons.
Now this four-carbon acid, CO2, is packaged and ready to be transferred to the vascular sheath cell where it is presented to the Rubisco.
Rubisco in the C4 plant does not have the right to see O2 and only needs to take CO2 with it to enter the Calvin cycle.
As a result, the C4 plant always has sufficient CO2 available for the Rubisco enzyme, and photorespiration is largely prevented.
This means that the C4 plant has greater resistance to unfavorable conditions and can withstand more.
If the conditions become very, very, very unfavorable, the C4 plant may inevitably be able to breathe very little light, but it will not be destroyed as a result.
To introduce C4 plants, some C4 grasses, also known as warm-season grasses, such as corn, sorghum, crow’s feet, sugarcane, bermudagrass, and poplar should be mentioned.
let’s compare!
The first thing we should compare is the condition of their openings:
The stomata of C3 plants are closed in an unfavorable state under the influence of the hormone abscisic acid.
Under difficult conditions, the C4 plant has its stomata closed, under normal conditions, it is similar to the C3
CAM plant is closed during the day and open at night.
Now the place where the Calvin cycle is carried out:
Chloroplast of the C3 plant in the mesenchymal cell and all cells that carry out photosynthesis
C4 plant in the chloroplast of the vascular sheath and the stomatal guard
CAM plant in the cells that have chloroplasts
Light breathing:
It is done in C3 plants
It is rarely done in C4 plants
And it is rarely done in the CAM plant
Other characteristics:
In the C3 plant, carbon fixation occurs in one step.
In C4 and CAM plants, carbon fixation takes place in two steps
And the last point is that many plants belong to the C3 plants and some of them to the C4 and CAM plants. Due to climate change, the diversity of C4 and CAM groups might increase.
Considering that carbon stabilization occurs as a 3- or 4-carbon acid. So when the amount of bound CO2 in the cell increases, the pH of the plant decreases and becomes more acidic.
conclusion
the comparison between C3 and C4 plants reveals distinct strategies for photosynthesis and adaptation to environmental conditions.
While C3 plants represent the traditional pathway, they are more susceptible to photorespiration and may struggle in high-temperature environments.
In contrast, C4 plants have evolved mechanisms to minimize photorespiration, making them more resilient in adverse conditions.
Understanding these differences is crucial for agricultural practices, ecosystem management, and addressing the challenges of climate change.
As we continue to observe shifts in global climates, the prevalence and importance of C4 and CAM plants may increase, highlighting the need for further research and conservation efforts.
