What special anatomical features are displayed by leaves of $C_4$ plants? How do they provide an advantage over the structure of $C_3$ plants?

Vedclass pdf generator app on play store
Vedclass iOS app on app store
(N/A) $C_4$ plants exhibit a unique leaf anatomy known as $Kranz$ anatomy.
In $Kranz$ anatomy,the bundle sheath cells form several layers around the vascular bundles,characterized by a large number of chloroplasts,thick walls impervious to gaseous exchange,and no intercellular spaces.
$C_4$ plants possess two types of chloroplasts: agranal chloroplasts in bundle sheath cells and granal chloroplasts in mesophyll cells.
This structure provides an advantage by minimizing photorespiration,which is a wasteful process common in $C_3$ plants.
The bundle sheath cells maintain a high concentration of $CO_2$ around the enzyme $RuBisCO$,ensuring it functions as a carboxylase rather than an oxygenase.
Consequently,$C_4$ plants are more efficient in photosynthesis under high temperatures and high light intensities compared to $C_3$ plants.

Explore More

Similar Questions

In the Hatch-Slack pathway,which enzyme is used for the fixation of $CO_2$?

In $C_{4}$-pathway,the first product identified was

$C_4$ plants differ from $C_3$ plants in terms of:

The net requirement of assimilatory power for the formation of $6$ hexose molecules in a maize plant is:

$PEP$case and $RuBisCO$ in $C_4$ plants are present respectively in

Vedclass Products

For Students

Vedclass Test Series

Mock tests in real JEE/NEET style with performance analysis. 5-day free trial.

Start Free Trial
For Teachers

Exam Paper Generator

Generate Set A/B/C/D exam papers from 7.5L+ questions in 2 minutes. 3 chapters free.

Try Free
For Institutes

Online Exam Module

Live online exams with unlimited students, 360° analytics & white-label branding.

See Demo