Biology Assignment

How C4 Photosynthesis Works

Group Members:
● Beemnet Asegid
● Fresenbet Tamene
● Surafel Yohannes
● Yosef Abera
● Leul Daniel
● Hussen Jawar
C4 photosynthesis is a type of carbon fixation process used by certain plants to
efficiently capture and use carbon dioxide (CO2) for photosynthesis. It is an adaptation
found in plants living in environments with high temperatures, intense sunlight, and
limited water availability, such as tropical grasses and some crops like maize (corn),
sugarcane, and sorghum. C4 plants have evolved specialized anatomical and biochemical
features to enhance photosynthetic efficiency. The overall process of C4 photosynthesis
involves two types of cells within the plant's leaves: mesophyll cells and bundle sheath
cells. Here are the key steps:

CO2 Fixation in Mesophyll Cells:

a. Carbon dioxide enters the leaf through small pores called stomata.
b. In the mesophyll cells, CO2 combines with a three-carbon compound called
phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), catalyzed by the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase
(PEP carboxylase). This forms a four-carbon compound called oxaloacetate (OAA).
Formation of Four-Carbon Acids:
a. The OAA is quickly converted into a four-carbon acid called malate or aspartate. b.
This conversion occurs in the mesophyll cells and requires energy in the form of ATP
(adenosine triphosphate).
Transport to Bundle Sheath Cells:
a. The malate or aspartate is transported from the mesophyll cells to the bundle sheath
cells, which are located deep within the leaf.
b. This transport occurs through specialized channels called plasmodesmata.
Release of CO2 in Bundle Sheath Cells:
a. In the bundle sheath cells, malate or aspartate is decarboxylated (loses CO2),
regenerating the original three-carbon compound, pyruvate.
b. This decarboxylation releases CO2 within the bundle sheath cells, where it can be
efficiently utilized by the enzyme ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase
(Rubisco) for photosynthesis.
Carbon Assimilation and Sugar Production:
a. The released CO2 in the bundle sheath cells enters the Calvin cycle, a series of
reactions that convert CO2 into sugars.
b. The Calvin cycle occurs in the chloroplasts of the bundle sheath cells and is similar to
the process in C3 plants.
c. The produced sugars can be utilized for plant growth, energy storage, or transported
to other parts of the plant.
By separating the initial CO2 fixation step from the Calvin cycle in distinct cells, C4 plants
can concentrate CO2 around Rubisco in the bundle sheath cells, minimizing the wasteful
process of photorespiration. This allows C4 plants to achieve higher photosynthetic
rates, better water-use efficiency, and increased productivity compared to C3 plants in
hot and arid conditions