Difference between C3 Pathway and C4 Pathway

Difference between C3 Pathway and C4 Pathway

Difference between C3 Pathway and C4 Pathway are in tabular form below –

No.

C3 Pathway

C4 Pathway

Definition

1. A process that mainly occurs in dicot plants where carbon from carbon dioxide is fixed into stable organic products and the first product of in the photosynthesis is three carbon molecule, this is known as C3 Pathway. In this pathway, four carbon compound is the first formed stable compound and this pathway is alternate pathway of C3 cycle to fix CO2, this is known as C4 pathway.

Fixation of carbon

2. In the C3 pathway, fixation of carbon is slow. In the C4 pathway, Fixation of carbon is fast.

Produced stable compound

3. In this pathway, three carbon compound is the first produced stable compound. In this pathway, four carbon compound is the first produced stable compound.

Carbon fixation

4. Single carbon fixation takes place. Double carbon fixation takes place

Cells

5. The mesophyll cells mainly carries C3 pathway. Both bundle sheath cells and mesophyll cells can carry C4 Pathway.

Presence of chloroplast type

6. Only one type of chloroplast is present. Two different types of chloroplast are present.
Updated: March 1, 2022 — 2:20 pm

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