Which of the following phenomena describes the mechanism by which C4 plants minimize photorespiration compared to C3 plants under high temperature and drought conditions?

💡 Solution & Explanation

C4 plants minimize wasteful photorespiration by employing spatial separation, where initial carbon dioxide fixation occurs in mesophyll cells via PEP carboxylase to form a four-carbon acid, which is then transported into bundle sheath cells to release carbon dioxide for the Calvin cycle. Rubisco operates in the interior bundle sheath cells surrounded by high local concentrations of carbon dioxide. This physiological adaptation enhances photosynthetic efficiency in tropical and arid environments where temperatures promote high rates of photorespiration in C3 plants.