Rubisco in C3 Plants, 2-Phosphoglycolate, and Photorespiration

The video tutorial explains the role of Rubisco in photosynthesis, focusing on C3 plants. It details the dual activity of Rubisco, which can lead to the production of a wasteful byproduct, 2-phosphoglycolate, through oxygenation. The process of photorespiration is described as a necessary but energetically costly pathway to recycle this byproduct. The video also compares C3 plants with C4 and CAM plants, highlighting their strategies to avoid the inefficiencies of photorespiration.

What is the primary role of Rubisco in C3 plants?

• To fix carbon dioxide into organic molecules

• To absorb nutrients from the soil

• To convert sunlight into chemical energy

• To transport water throughout the plant

Why is two phosphoglycerate considered an undesired product in C3 plants?

• It is toxic to the plant

• It is energetically costly to convert into a useful form

• It prevents water uptake

• It blocks sunlight absorption

What is the purpose of the photorespiration pathway in C3 plants?

• To store energy for later use

• To absorb more carbon dioxide

• To convert two phosphoglycerate into a useful form

• To increase the rate of photosynthesis

Which of the following is a step in the photorespiration pathway?

• Transport of water through xylem

• Absorption of sunlight by chlorophyll

• Formation of glucose from pyruvate

• Conversion of glycolate to glyoxylate

How do C4 plants differ from C3 plants in terms of carbon fixation?

• C4 plants do not require water for carbon fixation

• C4 plants fix carbon in a different cellular location

• C4 plants fix carbon only at night

• C4 plants use sunlight to fix carbon

What is the main advantage of CAM plants over C3 plants?

• CAM plants require less carbon dioxide

• CAM plants do not produce any waste products

• CAM plants can grow without sunlight

• CAM plants fix carbon at night, reducing water loss

What type of separation do CAM plants use to improve efficiency?

• Physical separation

• Chemical separation

• Spatial separation

• Temporal separation