If you were to engineer a C3 plant to exhibit C4 characteristics, what would be a critical change you would need to introduce?

4 views 1 helpful Updated Jul 29, 2026
Appears in NEET UG
Solution ✔ Verified
  • AAbility to open stomata only at night.
  • BDevelopment of Kranz anatomy with specialized bundle sheath cells capable of concentrating CO2.
  • CEnhanced capacity for photorespiration under all conditions.
  • DReplacing chlorophyll a with chlorophyll b as the main photosynthetic pigment.
Explanation

The defining anatomical feature of C4 plants is Kranz anatomy, which physically separates initial CO2 fixation (mesophyll cells) from the Calvin cycle (bundle sheath cells). Introducing this anatomical and cellular specialization, along with the C4 biochemical pathway (especially the enzymes for CO2 concentration), would be critical to convert a C3 plant to C4 characteristics.

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