Abstract
HIGH rates of photosynthesis and low rates of photorespiration are found in several plant species in which the photosynthetic carbon reduction (PCR) cycle is augmented by a second carboxylation system, the C-4 pathway1,2. This pathway does not result in a net fixation or reduction of carbon, but seems to operate as a mechanism for concentrating CO2 at the site of reductive assimilation. It has been widely accepted that the carboxylation reaction of the C-4 pathway is associated with the chloroplasts of mesophyll -cells, while PCR cycle activity is restricted to the bundle sheath chloroplasts. Investigations3–5 indicate, however that mesophyll chloroplasts do contain PCR cycle activity, arni that the C-4 pathway is located in the cytoplasm of non-green and mesophyll cells.
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References
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COOMBS, J., BALDRY, C. C-4 Pathway in Pennisetum purpureum. Nature New Biology 238, 268–270 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238268a0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/newbio238268a0
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