Introduction
1. Description of the photosynthetic mechanism of C3 plants
-C3 photosynthetic mechanisms are present in ~85% of all plants on earth
-C3 photosynthesis is the most common pathway for carbon fixation
-carbon dioxide and water will enter a C3 plant through its stomata, where light will then interact with pigment in the thylakoid (chlorophyll), allowing H2O to be split into Oxygen. The oxygen then leaves the plant. The leftover hydrogen molecule is escorted by NADP+ to be used in the dark reactions portion of the photosynthesis process. In the last steps ATP powers the new NADPH molecule and Carbon dioxide combines with Rubisco - this is all to form PGA. These PGA molecules produced will combine together to form sugar (glucose) which is stored and used by the C3 plant as food and energy.
2. Description of the photosynthetic mechanism of C4 plants
-plants will evolve to c4 photosynthesis when they are in high light and temperature environments. The exclusive anatomy and biochemistry of a leaf will allow c4 plants to constrain carbon dioxide as it enters the leaf. It then produces a 4-carbon compound that passes on carbon dioxide in distinct cells around the rubicon enzymes
Task
Process
5. Five species of plants that undergo C3 photosynthesis
Cotton, Sunflower, Spinach, Eucalyptus, wheat, and many others.
6. Five species of plants that undergo C4 photosynthesis
corn, sorghum, sugarcane, millet, and switchgrass.
Evaluation
7. The environmental conditions in which C3 plants are found
C3 plants are most efficient in cool, wet climates. Photosynthetic ability in C3 plants is greatly reduced by oxygen, suppressing around ~40% of potential photosynthesis. C3 plants also cannot live where there is a significant amount of light. Though they are more on the delicate side, they still make up the majority of the earth's plants.
8. The environmental conditions in which C4 plants are found
Majority of c4 plants are native to the tropics, they have adapted to hot temperatures and high light intensity.
Conclusion
9. A comparison between the 2 types of photosynthetic mechanisms
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Differences
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Similarities
-photosynthesis takes place in the stroma of the chloroplast in both C3 and C4 plants.
-Both metabolic pathways involve the synthesis of carbohydrates
- Both C3 and C4 plants undergo carboxlyation and regeneration of RuBp during their dark reactions
- Photolysis of water is also common between both types.