3 Biology -- Photosynthesis

Differentiate between C3 and C4 cycle.

Differentiate between C3 and C4 cycle.

Differences between C3 cycle and C4 cycle are as follows:-

C3 cycle C4 cycle

1. It's CO2 acceptor molecule is Ribulose bi-phosphate.


1. It's CO2 acceptor molecule is phosphoenol pyruvic acid.

2.The first stable compound produced in it is phosphoglyceric acid which is 3 carbon compound 2. The first stable compound produced in it is oxalo acetic acid which is 4 carbon compound. 
3. Only one type of chlorophyll is found in such plants  3. Two types of chlorophyll are found in such plants i.e in mesophyll where chloroplast bear grana and in bundle sheath where cells lack grana.
4. C3 plants do not have krantz anatomy.

4. C4 plants have krantz anatomy.

5. Only C3 cycle takes place.

5. Both C3 and C4 cycle take place.

6. Rate of photo respiration is high in such plants.

6. Rate of photo respiration is very low in such plants.

7. It's CO2 compensation point is 50-100 ppm. 7. It's CO2 compensation point is 0-10 ppm.
8. Optimum temperature for photosynthesis in such plants ranges from 10 °C to 25 °C. 8. Optimum temperature for photosynthesis in such plants is 30 °C to 45 °C. 
Examples:- Rice, Barley, Sunflower, cotton, etc. Examples:- Sugarcane, Maize, Sorghum, Amaranthus


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