Which of the following is absent in C4 Plants:

Explanation

CO2 fixation does occur in the mesophyll cells of C4 plants, but it follows a different pathway compared to C3 plants. C4 plants have evolved a specialized mechanism to minimize photorespiration and increase their efficiency in photosynthesis, especially under conditions of high temperature and intense sunlight. In C4 plants, the initial fixation of CO2 takes place in mesophyll cells, and the primary fixation product is a four-carbon compound called oxaloacetate (OAA). This process is catalyzed by an enzyme called phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP carboxylase). OAA is then converted into malate or aspartate, which are transported to bundle sheath cells surrounding the vascular bundles.