The upcoming discussion will update you about the difference between c3 plants and c4 plants.

Difference # C3 Plants:

1. CO2 acceptor is RuBP (Ribulose bisphosphate).

2. Only one type of chloroplasts occur in the cells. Grana present in chloroplasts.

3. First stable compound after CO2 fixation is PGA.

4. Plants photosynthesize well, if CO2 concen­tration is high.

5. They possess photorespiration that results in a low overall efficiency in synthesis of carbo­hydrates.

6. Excess of atmospheric oxygen inhibits photo­synthetic activity.

Difference # C4 Plants:

1. CO2—acceptor is PEP (Phosphoenol pyruvate).

2. Two types of chloroplasts, bundle sheath chlo­roplasts possess C3 cycle (Calvin cycle) and do not have grana; and mesophyll chloroplasts pos­sess C4 cycle (Hatch Slack cycle), and have grana.

3. First stable compound after CO2 fixation is oxaloacetate.

4. Plants synthesize well, even if CO2 concentra­tion is low.

5. They lack photorespiration and conserve more or­ganic food and thus an overall higher photosyn­thetic efficiency.

6. Excess of atmospheric oxygen has no effect on photosynthesis.

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