Differentiate between C3 and C4 cycle ?
Solution:
| C3 cycle is found in almost all the plants | C4 cycle is found in only C4 plants like sorgham and maize. |
| The first stable compound produced in C3 cycle is a three carbon compound, 3 phosphoglyceric acid. | The first stable compound produced is a four carbon compound, Oxaloacetic acid. |
| The primary carbon dioxide acceptor is a five carbon compound Ribulose bi-phosphate. | The primary carbon dioxide acceptor is a three carbon compound phospho-enol pyruvate. |
| Photosynthesis takes place in mesophyll cells, at average temperature of 20 to 25 degree celsius. | photosynthesis takes place in both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells at 30 to 45 degree celsius. |
| Less efficient in utilizing carbon dioxide. | High efficiency in utilizing carbon dioxide. |
| It can be saturated with sunlight. | It does not saturate with sunlight. |
| The fixation of single carbon molecule requires 3 ATP and 2 NADH in this | The fixation of single carbon molecule requires 5 ATP and 3 NADH in this |
| Chloroplasts in these are monomorphic | Chloroplasts in these are dimorphic |
| They perform photosynthesis only when stomata is open | They perform photosynthesis even when stomata is closed. |