In the leaves of $\mathrm{C}_4$ plants, malic acid formation during $\mathrm{CO}_2$ fixation occurs in the…

In the leaves of $\mathrm{C}_4$ plants, malic acid formation during $\mathrm{CO}_2$ fixation occurs in the cells of:
  1. bundle sheath
  2. phloem
  3. epidermis
  4. mesophyll.

Solution

$\mathrm{C}_4$ plants have Kranz anatomy consisting of mesophyll and bundle sheath cells. In mesophyll cells, PEP functions as $\mathrm{CO}_2$ acceptor and forms oxalic acid. Later, oxalic acid is reduced to malic acid. Finally, malic acid is transferred to bundle sheath cells.

Asked in: NEET 2007

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