Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Biology

Chapter

Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Question:

Primary carboxylation occurs in C3 and C4 plants with the help of : 

Options:

RuBP carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase respectively.

RuBP carboxylase and PEP carboxylase respectively.

PEP carboxylase and RuBP carboxylase respectively.

PEP carboxylase and pyruvate carboxylase respectively.

Correct Answer:

RuBP carboxylase and PEP carboxylase respectively.

Explanation:

The correct answer is Option (2)- RuBP carboxylase and PEP carboxylase respectively.

For ease of understanding, the Calvin cycle can be described under three stages:

carboxylation, reduction and regeneration.

Carboxylation is the fixation of CO2 into a stable organic intermediate. Carboxylation is the most crucial step of the Calvin cycle where CO2 is utilised for the carboxylation of RuBP. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme RuBP carboxylase which results in the formation of two molecules of 3-PGA. Since this enzyme also has an oxygenation activity it would be more correct to call it RuBP carboxylase-oxygenase or RuBisCO. 

C4 plants are special:

They have a special type of leaf anatomy, they tolerate higher temperatures, they show a response to high light intensities, they lack a process called photorespiration and have greater productivity of biomass .The particularly large cells around the vascular bundles of the C4 plants are called bundle sheath cells, and the leaves which have such anatomy are said to have ‘Kranz’ anatomy. ‘Kranz’ means ‘wreath’ and is a reflection of the arrangement of cells.

The primary CO2 acceptor is a 3-carbon molecule phosphoenol pyruvate (PEP) and is present in the mesophyll cells. The enzyme responsible for this fixation is PEP carboxylase or PEPcase. It is important to register that the mesophyll cells lack RuBisCO enzyme. The C4 acid OAA is formed in the mesophyll cells.