C3 Photosynthesis

Plants which use only the Calvin cycle for fixing the carbon dioxide from the air are known as C3 plants. In the first step of the cycle CO2 reacts with RuBP to produce two 3-carbon molecules of 3-phosphoglyceric acid (3-PGA). This is the origin of the designation C3 or C3 in the literature for the cycle and for the plants that use this cycle.

About 85% of plant species are C3 plants. They include the cereal grains: wheat, rice, barley, oats. Peanuts, cotton, sugar beets, tobacco, spinach, soybeans, and most trees are C3 plants. Most lawn grasses such as rye and fescue are C3 plants.

Energy cycle in living things
Index

Photosynthesis Concepts

Reference
Moore, et al.
Ch 7
 
HyperPhysics***** Biology R Nave
Go Back










C4 Photosynthesis

Sugarcane is a champion at photosynthesis under the right conditions and is a prime example of a C4 plant, one which uses C4 photosynthesis.

Energy cycle in living things
Index

Photosynthesis Concepts

Reference
Moore, et al.
Ch 7
 
HyperPhysics***** Biology R Nave
Go Back










C3-C4 Intermediate Photosynthesis

Energy cycle in living things
Index

Photosynthesis Concepts

Reference
Moore, et al.
Ch 7
 
HyperPhysics***** Biology R Nave
Go Back










Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM)

Energy cycle in living things
Index

Photosynthesis Concepts

Reference
Moore, et al.
Ch 7
 
HyperPhysics***** Biology R Nave
Go Back