Question Details

The first stable product of CO2 fixation in sorghum is :

Options

A

Pyruvic acid

B

Oxaloacetic acid

C

Succinic acid

D

Phosphoglyceric acid

Correct Answer :

Oxaloacetic acid

Solution :

The correct option is Oxaloacetic acid.

Step-by-Step Explanation:

1. Understanding the type of plant: Sorghum is a C4 plant. Unlike C3 plants, C4 plants have adapted to dry, hot environments and utilize a specialized pathway for carbon fixation (the Hatch-Slack pathway) to minimize photorespiration.

2. Carbon Fixation in C4 Plants: In the mesophyll cells of C4 plants like sorghum, the initial fixation of carbon dioxide (CO2) is catalyzed by the enzyme PEP carboxylase (Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase).

3. The Initial Product: The primary acceptor of CO2 is phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), which is a 3-carbon compound. When PEP combines with CO2, it forms a 4-carbon organic acid called oxaloacetic acid (OAA).

4. Conclusion: Since oxaloacetic acid is the very first stable intermediate compound formed after CO2 fixation in this pathway, it is the first stable product of CO2 fixation in sorghum.

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