What is a C4 plant?

These plants are called C4 plants, because the first product of carbon fixation is a 4-carbon compound (instead of a 3-carbon compound as in C3 or “normal” plants). C4 plants use this 4-carbon compound to effectively “concentrate” CO2 around rubisco, so that rubisco is less likely re react with O2.

What percentage of vascular plants use the C4 pathway?

The C4 pathway is used by only 3% of the vascular plants. The plants are so-called because of the 4 carbon compound oxaloacetate produced during the pathway.

What plants use C4 and CAM photosynthesis?

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum, Poaceae) is grown for sugar and bioethanol. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea, Portulacaceae), a weed and ancient vegetable, uses both C 4 and CAM photosynthesis. Rhodes grass (Chloris gayana, Poaceae) is a major forage grass in tropical areas.

How do C4 plants take in CO2 from RuBisCO?

C4 plants have evolved a mechanism to deliver CO2 to Rubisco In order for plants to take in CO2, they have to open structures called stomata on their leaves, which are pores that allow gas exchange.