Differences between C3 and C4 plants

July 20, 2018

S.N	C₃ plants		C₄ plants
1.	The first acceptor of CO₂ is ribulose diphosphate (RuDP).		The first acceptor of CO₂ is phospoenol pyruvate (PEP).
2.	Phosphoglyceric acid is the first stable product.		Oxaloacetic acid is the first stable product.
3.	Calvin cycle is performed by only one type of chloroplasts.		The chloroplasts are of two types.
4.	Only C₃ cycle is found.		Both C₃ and C₄ cycles are found.
5.	The CO₂ compensation point is 50-150 ppm CO₂.		The CO₂ compensation point is 0-10 ppm of CO₂.
6.	Photorespiration is present and easily detectable.		Photorespiration is usually absent.
7.	The efficiency of CO₂ absorption at low concentration is far less. So they are less efficient.		The efficiency of CO₂ absorption at low concentration is quite high. So they are more efficient.
8.	The rate of photosynthesis is comparatively lower.		The rate of photosynthesis is comparatively higher.
9.	Bundle sheath cells are absent in these plants.		Bundle sheath cells are present in these plants.
10.	Leaves lack Kranz anatomy.	Leaves possess Kranz anatomy.
11.	Contains high protein content.	Contain less protein content than C₃ plants.
12.	The optimum temperature range is 65-75 degrees Fahrenheit.	The optimum temperature range is 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit.
13.	Dark reaction is carried out by mesophyll cells.	Dark reaction is carried out by both mesophyll and bundle sheath cells.
14.	For examples: bamboo, wheat, barley, rice, rye, oat, etc.	For example: sugarcane, Maize, Euphorbia, Amaranthus, etc.