$\mathrm{C}_4$-plants are more efficient in photosynthesis than $\mathrm{C}_3$-plants due to

$\mathrm{C}_4$-plants are more efficient in photosynthesis than $\mathrm{C}_3$-plants due to
  1. higher leaf area
  2. presence of larger number of chloroplasts in the leaf cells
  3. presence of thin cuticle
  4. lower rate of photorespiration

Solution

The $C_4$ pathway is certainly more efficient than the $C_3$ pathway in the sense of carbon fixation. In $C_3$ plants, carbon dioxide and oxygen are both present. This means that most of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate is carboxylated, but some of the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate is oxygenated. This results in photorespiration. So the correct option is Lower rate of photorespiration.

Asked in: NEET 2010 (Screening)

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