C3kasvit

C3kasvit refers to plants that utilize the C3 photosynthetic pathway, the most common method of carbon fixation in plants. In this process, the initial product of carbon dioxide fixation is a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). This occurs in the mesophyll cells of the leaf. The enzyme RuBisCO (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) plays a crucial role in this initial step, catalyzing the carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate (RuBP). Following this, the Calvin cycle, a series of biochemical reactions, converts the fixed carbon into glucose and other sugars. C3 photosynthesis is efficient in environments with moderate temperatures, ample sunlight, and sufficient water. However, under hot and dry conditions, C3 plants can experience photorespiration, a process where RuBisCO binds to oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to reduced photosynthetic efficiency and a loss of fixed carbon. Examples of C3 plants are widespread and include most trees, grasses, and crops such as rice, wheat, and soybeans. The majority of plant species on Earth are C3 plants.