GALUDO SHANNON EJ I BSMT 2C SYNTHESIS
C4 PLANTS
Rationale:
The discovery of C4 carbon fixation by Marshall Davidson Hatch and Charles Roger Slack in the
1960s marked a significant advancement in plant physiology with far-reaching ecological effects. Through
the concentration of carbon dioxide surrounding the enzyme RuBisCO, C4 photosynthesis, in contrast to
the ancestral C3 pathway, minimizes the inefficiencies linked to photorespiration. A number of
physiological and anatomical adjustments, such as the division of CO2 fixation between mesophyll and
bundle sheath cells, are made in order to reach this concentration. C4 plants show increased rates of
photosynthesis by decreasing photorespiration, especially in warm, dry settings where photorespiration is
more common. In addition, C4 plants use nitrogen and water more efficiently than their C3 counterparts,
which makes them better adapted to nutrient- and drought-limited environments.
Abstract:
Different from the more common C3 route, C4 carbon fixation is a key evolutionary innovation in
plants, as demonstrated by the work of Marshall Davidson Hatch and Charles Roger Slack in the 1960s.
This method involves several anatomical and metabolic changes that offer higher photosynthetic efficiency
and avoid the constraints imposed by photorespiration. It works in tandem with C3 photosynthesis. C4
plants limit energy losses associated with photorespiratory pathways and minimize the competitive
oxygenation response by concentrating carbon dioxide near RuBisCO. It is especially beneficial in
conditions with high temperatures, limited water availability, and low nitrogen levels. The distinctive
mesophyll and bundle sheath cells that characterize the kranz morphology of C4 plants enable the spatial
segregation of essential photosynthetic activities, maximizing carbon fixation and decreasing inefficient
processes like photorespiration. Furthermore, C4 photosynthesis's convergent evolution across a range of
plant lineages emphasizes the ecological significance and adaptive relevance of this process in a variety of
terrestrial habitats. The goal of current research efforts, especially in the fields of synthetic biology and
genetic engineering, is to introduce C4 features into C3 crops in order to take advantage of C4
photosynthesis and potentially revolutionize agricultural production and climate change resilience.
C3 CARBON FIXATION
Rationale:
There are several scientific, agricultural, and ecological domains that can benefit from a knowledge
and use of C3 carbon fixation. The global carbon cycle and the continuation of life on Earth depend heavily
on C3 carbon fixation, which is the main route of carbon fixation in photosynthesis. Determining the
mechanics and ecological consequences of C3 carbon fixation have been a major focus of scientific
research since its discovery by Melvin Calvin, Andrew Benson, and James Bassham in the mid-1900s. Its
agricultural relevance is further demonstrated by the fact that it is present in almost 95% of Earth's plant
biomass, including vital food crops like rice, wheat, soybeans, and barley.
Abstract:
Carbon fixation, the main process of absorption of carbon in photosynthesis, is a fundamental
mechanism in plant biology that has significant effects on the dynamics of ecosystems and worldwide
biogeochemical cycles. The Calvin-Benson cycle's principal method of CO2 absorption, C3 carbon fixation
was first described in the 1950s by Melvin Calvin, Andrew Benson, and James Bassham. It involves a series
of biochemical events that are essential for biomass generation and energy conversion in plants. Staple
food crops including rice, wheat, soybeans, and barley are among the many plant species that share this
metabolic pathway, which supports terrestrial vegetation productivity. Even while C3 carbon fixation is
ubiquitous and plays a crucial role in maintaining life on Earth, it has certain intrinsic limits. One such
drawback is its increased vulnerability to photorespiration, especially in situations where temperatures
are high and CO2 levels are low. These limitations create serious difficulties for crop production,
particularly in areas with limited water resources and dry climates. As a result, creative solutions are
needed to improve agricultural resilience and food security in the face of climate change. Additionally, the
differential fractionation of carbon isotopes during photosynthesis shapes the isotopic composition of C3
plants, which is a useful proxy for paleoclimate reconstructions, providing information about historical
climatic conditions and ecosystem dynamics. As such, a thorough grasp of the processes and ecological
effects of C3 carbon fixation is essential to tackling today's problems in global environmental change,
agriculture, and biodiversity preservation.
