By looking at a plant externally can you tell whether a plant is C३ and C4 ? Why and how?
Explanation Since C₃ and C₄ plants do not possess any external morphological characteristics to distinguish between them, therefore by looking externally at the plant one cannot distinguish between C₃ and C₄ . Plants in which C₄ pathways operate generally belong to dry tropical climate. C₄ plants exhibit Kranz or wreath anatomy, it has the following features. Bundle sheath cells surround the vascular bundles. Dimorphic chloroplast present in the leaf. The chloroplast of bundle sheath cells larger and without grana whereas in mesophyll cells the chloroplasts present are small and are with grana. In C₃ plants mesophyll cells have intercellular space whereas in C₄ plants mesophyll cells have no intercellular space.
