Which of the following statements regarding photorespiration are correct?
(A) Does not occur in C\(_3\) plants
(B) CO\(_2\) is consumed and O\(_2\) is generated
(C) Phosphoglycolate is formed
(D) No synthesis of ATP and NADPH
Choose the correct answer from the options given below :
Show Hint
Photorespiration is often called a wasteful pathway because:
• O\(_2\) is consumed.
• CO\(_2\) is released.
• ATP is not synthesized.
• NADPH is not synthesized.
• Fixed carbon is lost.
It is most prominent in C\(_3\) plants.
Concept:
Photorespiration is a process initiated when the enzyme RuBisCO acts as an oxygenase instead of a carboxylase.
This generally occurs under conditions of:
• High oxygen concentration
• Low carbon dioxide concentration
• High temperature
The process involves chloroplasts, peroxisomes and mitochondria.
Let us analyze each statement.
Statement (a): Does not occur in C\(_3\) plants
Photorespiration is actually a characteristic feature of C\(_3\) plants.
C\(_4\) plants largely avoid photorespiration through their carbon concentrating mechanism.
Therefore statement (a) is
incorrect.
Statement (b): CO\(_2\) is consumed and O\(_2\) is generated
In photorespiration:
• Oxygen is consumed.
• Carbon dioxide is released.
Thus the given statement is exactly opposite to what occurs.
Hence statement (b) is
incorrect.
Statement (c): Phosphoglycolate is formed
When RuBisCO acts as an oxygenase:
\[
RuBP + O_2
\]
produces
\[
3\text{-PGA} + 2\text{-phosphoglycolate}
\]
Therefore phosphoglycolate is indeed formed.
Hence statement (c) is
correct.
Statement (d): No synthesis of ATP and NADPH
Photorespiration is considered a wasteful process because:
• ATP is not produced.
• NADPH is not produced.
• Carbon dioxide is released.
• Previously fixed carbon is lost.
Therefore statement (d) is
correct.
Hence only statements
\[
(c)\ \text{and}\ (d)
\]
are correct.
Therefore the correct answer is
\[
\boxed{(3)\ (c)\ \text{and}\ (d)\ \text{only}}
\]