Which one of the following is wrong in relation to photorespiration ? ...
Tropical plants have evolved C4 cycle to overcome photorespiration.
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Which one of the following is wrong in relation to photorespiration ? ...
Photorespiration is a metabolic process that occurs in plants, particularly in C3 plants. It involves the breakdown of organic compounds in the presence of light and oxygen. The process takes place in the chloroplasts during the daytime. However, it is not a characteristic of C4 plants.
Here is a detailed explanation of each option:
a) It is a characteristic of C3 plants: This statement is correct. C3 plants, such as rice, wheat, and soybeans, use the C3 pathway for carbon fixation. In this pathway, the primary enzyme involved in carbon fixation is Rubisco. However, Rubisco has a tendency to bind with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to the formation of a toxic compound called phosphoglycolate. This initiates the process of photorespiration in C3 plants.
b) It occurs in chloroplasts: This statement is correct. Photorespiration primarily occurs in the chloroplasts, which are the organelles responsible for photosynthesis. Within the chloroplasts, the process involves the breakdown of phosphoglycolate by a series of enzymatic reactions.
c) It occurs in daytime only: This statement is correct. Photorespiration occurs during the daytime when photosynthesis is actively taking place. This is because the primary products of photosynthesis, such as oxygen and ATP, are required for the photorespiration process to occur. In contrast, during the nighttime, when photosynthesis does not occur, photorespiration is minimal.
d) It is a characteristic of C4 plants: This statement is incorrect. Unlike C3 plants, C4 plants have evolved a mechanism to minimize photorespiration. They have specialized leaf anatomy and biochemical pathways that allow them to concentrate carbon dioxide in specific cells called bundle sheath cells. This separation of carbon fixation and the Calvin cycle reduces the chances of oxygen binding to Rubisco and subsequently reduces photorespiration.
In conclusion, the correct answer is option D. Photorespiration is not a characteristic of C4 plants.