Function of Kranz Anatomy
In most plants, carbon dioxide undergoes initial fixation into a compound with three carbon atoms (C3) through the photosynthetic enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase oxygenase, or RuBisCo, which is known as C3 photosynthesis and these plants are called C3 plants.
- However, Rubisco is inherently inefficient as it can also catalyze a reaction with oxygen, leading to an inefficient process called photorespiration instead of photosynthesis.
- To overcome this inefficiency, the C4 pathway strategically fixes atmospheric carbon dioxide into C4 acids using the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, which is not responsive to oxygen.
- Subsequently, C4 acids release carbon dioxide for re-fixation by Rubisco. In many C4 plants, these two phases of the C4 pathway are spatially separated into morphologically distinct photosynthetic cell categories.
- This segregation allows for a high concentration of carbon dioxide to accumulate in the vicinity of Rubisco, promoting better photosynthetic efficiency.
Kranz Anatomy – An Overview
Kranz Anatomy is a distinctive arrangement found in C4 plants, characterized by mesophyll cells forming a ring around the bundle-sheath cells. Kranz Anatomy is found in angiosperms like sugarcane and grasses which undergo C4 photosynthesis. Plants growing in warm tropical or arid environments have developed this efficient photosynthetic pathway. Let us discuss Kranz’s anatomy in detail.
Table of Content
- What is Kranz Anatomy?
- Kranz Anatomy in C4 plants
- Kranz Anatomy Diagram
- Structure of C4 Plants
- Function of Kranz Anatomy
- Advantages of Kranz Anatomy
- Development of Kranz Anatomy
- Characteristic features of Kranz Anatomy
- What is the Difference Between C3 and C4 plants?
- Difference between Mesophyll Cells and Bundle Sheath Cells