C4 PLANTS

C4 plants: translation

Plants found principally in hot climates whose initial fixation of CO2 in photosynthesis is by the HSK pathway. The enzyme responsible is PEP carboxylase, whose products contain four carbon atoms. Subsequently the CO2 is released and re-fixed by the Calvin-Benson cycle. The presence of the HSK pathwaypermits efficient photosynthesis at high light intensities and low CO2 concentrations. Most species of this type have little or no photorespiration.