Question

If C4 photosynthesis reduces photorespiration, why isn't this pathway adaptive in all environments? Are there disadvantages to the C4 pathway?

Answer 1

Ans.

Actually to do this, C4 needs an enzyme called RuBisCO in the process of photo respiration. But this enzyme works in the environment where already there is huge amount of Carbon dioxide while very small amount of Oxygen. Thus, this is not adaptive to all the environment.

DISADVANTAGES

There are no very significant disadvantage of C4 but it is not very efficient in cool and moist climate. One of the disadvantage I have already mentioned that it needs a special kind of environment which is not always possible. Thus, most of the plants do C3 photosynthesis.

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