FRANCES CORONEL

AP Biology: Alternative mechanisms of carbon fixation have evolved in hot, arid climates.
1. To synthesize one glucose molecule, the Calvin cycle uses 6 molecules of CO2, 18 molecules of ATP,
and 12 molecules of NADPH.
2. Explain why the high number of ATP and NADPH molecules used during the Calvin cycle is consistent
with the high value of glucose as an energy source.
Calvin cycle takes CO2 from air & uses ATP & NADPH as energy to create glucose/other carbs. So with
more ATP, NADPH, & CO2 available, a plant can make more glucose/energy.
3. Explain why a poison that inhibits an enzyme of the Calvin cycle will also inhibit the light reactions.
Calvin Cycle is dark reaction, which is dependent on light reaction. If dark reaction is inhibited, Calvin
Cycle will also inhibit light reaction.
4. Rubisco may well be the most abundant and important protein to evolve on this planet.
5. Fill in the table:
Feature C3 Plants C4 Plants CAM
Summarize carbon
fixation for each of
these types of
photosynthesis
! RuBP carboxylase reduces
CO2 concentration so that it
starts incorporating O2
instead
! makes CO2 fixation less
efficient
CO2 1st combines w/
phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP)
in mesophyll cells to form
oxaloacetate; Uses PEP
Carboxylase for enzyme
involved in uptake of CO2
PEP carboxylase used to fix
CO2 to oxalocatate but this
is converted to maltic acid &
sent to cells vacuole
during day, maltic acid
converted back to
oxaloacetate & CO2 released
CO2 then enters Calvin
cycle
Describe types of
plants and habitats
for each of these
! Most plants fit in this
category
! Known as photorespiration
! takes place in moderate
normal environments.
! C4 plants/CAM plants have
devised ways to overcome
rough environment.
Specialized for desert plants.
Evolved way to perform
photosynthesis when stomata
are closed
List major
structural/
chemical
differences of C4
& CAM when
compared to C3
plants
! 1
st
stable product is G3P
! photorespiration is pathway
that leads to oxygen fixation
! takes place throughout leaf
Stomata open during day
Photosynthesis takes place in
inner cells
stomata open at night
& usually closed
during day
Provide 2 concrete
examples of each
of these types of
plants & habitats
in which they live
! Most plants like dandelions
and roses
! C3 plants are regular
everyday plants that
! open stomata during day to
breathe in CO2 & release
O2.
! Sugar cane/ corn
! works well for plants in hot,
dry climates
! allows plants to fix CO2
even when there is limited
supply
cactuses, agaves, many
succulent like plants
specialized for desert plants
and habitat will always have
transpiration rates