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Cellular and Subcellular Localization in Plant Metabolism pp 223–248Cite as

Cellular Aspects of C4 Leaf Metabolism

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Part of the book series: Recent Advances in Phytochemistry ((RAPT,volume 16))

Abstract

The discovery of C4 photosynthesis heralded the beginning of a new understanding of cellular specialization among the leaf cells of higher plants. The essence of C4 photosynthesis and of this new understanding of leaf metabolism can be stated simply: two green cell types are always found in a C4 plant; and these cells do not have a fixed morphological or anatomical arrangement but share, in an interdependent manner, the tasks of photosynthetic energy capture, storage, and utilization. By taking this view of the C4 plant, we will describe photosynthetic metabolism in C4 leaf cells as a cooperative activity between the mesophyll cells, which trap atmospheric CO2 as readily transportable (but nevertheless reactive) four-carbon acids, and the bundle sheath cells, which decarboxylate the acids and refix the CO2 via the C3 cycle. This character of interdependence among leaf cells in which cell type has several required roles to complete a metabolic cycle is not a characteristic of C3 photosynthesis plants.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chemistry Department, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, State University of New York, Syracuse, NY, 13210, USA

    W. H. Campbell

  2. Biochemistry Department, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, 30602, USA

    C. C. Black

Authors
  1. W. H. Campbell
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  2. C. C. Black
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA

    Leroy L. Creasy

  2. New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Geneva, New York, USA

    Geza Hrazdina

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Campbell, W.H., Black, C.C. (1982). Cellular Aspects of C4 Leaf Metabolism. In: Creasy, L.L., Hrazdina, G. (eds) Cellular and Subcellular Localization in Plant Metabolism. Recent Advances in Phytochemistry, vol 16. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4727-0_7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4757-4727-0_7

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4757-4729-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4757-4727-0

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