Photorespiration facts for kids
Photorespiration, or "'photo-respiration'", is a process in plant metabolism. A sugar has oxygen added to it by the enzyme (RuBisCO), instead of carbon dioxide during normal photosynthesis. This process reduces efficiency of photosynthesis.
Photorespiration can occur when carbon dioxide levels are low, for example, when the stomata are closed to prevent water loss during drought. In most plants, photorespiration increases as temperature increases. Photorespiration produces no ATP and leads to a net loss of carbon and nitrogen (as ammonia), slowing plant growth.
Images for kids
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Maize uses the C4 pathway, minimizing photorespiration -
Overnight graph of CO2 absorbed by a CAM plant
See also
In Spanish: Fotorrespiración para niños
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Photorespiration Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.