What is the Difference Between C3 and C4 plants?
In the context of Kranz anatomy, it is worth noting the important differences between C3 and C4 plants.
Characteristic |
C3 Plants |
C4 Plants |
---|---|---|
Dark Reaction Pathway |
Calvin cycle |
Hatch-Slack pathway |
Season and Habitat |
Cold season, cool and wet areas |
Warm season, dry areas |
Environmental Conditions |
Temperate environments |
Tropical environments |
Product of Dark Reaction |
3-carbon compound (phosphoglyceric acid) |
4-carbon compound (oxaloacetic acid) |
Kranz Anatomy |
Absent |
Present |
Bundle Sheath Cells and Chloroplasts |
Bundle sheath cells lack chloroplasts |
Bundle sheath cells contain chloroplasts |
Photosynthesis in Closed Stomata |
Requires open stomata for photosynthesis |
Can complete photosynthesis with closed stomata |
CO2 Fixation Rate |
Slower CO2 fixation |
Relatively rapid CO2 fixation |
Location of Dark Reaction |
Mesophyll cells |
Mesophyll cells initiate, crucial steps in bundle sheath cells |
Photorespiration |
High rates of photorespiration |
Absence of photorespiration |
Temperature for Growth |
4-7 degrees soil temperature |
16-21 degrees soil temperature |
Global Presence |
95% of total green plants on Earth |
Approximately 5% of plants on Earth |
Examples |
Wheat, oats, rice, sunflower, cotton |
Maize, sugarcane, amaranthus |
Kranz Anatomy – An Overview
Kranz Anatomy is a distinctive arrangement found in C4 plants, characterized by mesophyll cells forming a ring around the bundle-sheath cells. Kranz Anatomy is found in angiosperms like sugarcane and grasses which undergo C4 photosynthesis. Plants growing in warm tropical or arid environments have developed this efficient photosynthetic pathway. Let us discuss Kranz’s anatomy in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Kranz Anatomy?
- Kranz Anatomy in C4 plants
- Kranz Anatomy Diagram
- Structure of C4 Plants
- Function of Kranz Anatomy
- Advantages of Kranz Anatomy
- Development of Kranz Anatomy
- Characteristic features of Kranz Anatomy
- What is the Difference Between C3 and C4 plants?
- Difference between Mesophyll Cells and Bundle Sheath Cells
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