Question

1. What makes the C4 cycle that much different than the "normal" C3 plants?

2. It has been hypothesized that if we could genetically modify crops like potatoes and tomatoes to become CAM plants we could aide hunger issue around the world. Why would someone propose this hypothesis?

Answer 1

1. In C_{​​​​​​4} the CAM pathway or Hatch- Slack pathway takes place during dark reaction of photosynthesis which is not found in C_{​​​​​​3} plants, but the Calvin cycle or the C_{​​​​​​3} cycle takes place. The CAM pathway is alternate of C_{​​​​​​3}​​​ cycle in which the first stable compound is of 4 carbon. The CAM pathway is mor efficient in performing photosysthesis than Calvin cycle as it posses krenz anatomy. So a large amount of energy (ATP) is generated in CAM pathway.

2. Since a large amount of energy is generated in C_{​​​​​​4} plants it has been hypothised that if we could genetically modify crops like potatos and tomatos to become CAM plants, we could overcome hunger around the world.