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This is an interactive version of textbook Figure 5.13: Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C4 Plants, which is presented in a step-by-step manner. A description of the full figure follows. The C 4 leaf section has the following parts. In the center is Xylem and Phloem; around the xylem is the bundle sheath; around the bundle sheath is the spongy mesophyll cell. At the top above the mesophyll cell is the upper epidermis. At the bottom below the mesophyll cell is the lower epidermis. Carbon dioxide is taken up
in the mesophyll by PEP case and transported to the bundle sheath
as a four-carbon compound, where it is released as carbon dioxide.
A three-carbon compound is transported back to the mesophyll
to continue the C 4 cycle. The waxy coating surrounding the bundle sheath lowers the outward diffusion of Carbon dioxide. The high concentration of Carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath limits the amount of Oxygen taken up by rubisco.

This is an interactive version of textbook Figure 5.13: Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C4 Plants, which is presented in a step-by-step manner. A description of the full figure follows. The C 4 leaf section has the following parts. In the center is Xylem and Phloem; around the xylem is the bundle sheath; around the bundle sheath is the spongy mesophyll cell. At the top above the mesophyll cell is the upper epidermis. At the bottom below the mesophyll cell is the lower epidermis. Carbon dioxide is taken up
in the mesophyll by PEP case and transported to the bundle sheath
as a four-carbon compound, where it is released as carbon dioxide.
A three-carbon compound is transported back to the mesophyll
to continue the C 4 cycle. The waxy coating surrounding the bundle sheath lowers the outward diffusion of Carbon dioxide. The high concentration of Carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath limits the amount of Oxygen taken up by rubisco.

This is an interactive version of textbook Figure 5.13: Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C4 Plants, which is presented in a step-by-step manner. A description of the full figure follows. The C 4 leaf section has the following parts. In the center is Xylem and Phloem; around the xylem is the bundle sheath; around the bundle sheath is the spongy mesophyll cell. At the top above the mesophyll cell is the upper epidermis. At the bottom below the mesophyll cell is the lower epidermis. Carbon dioxide is taken up
in the mesophyll by PEP case and transported to the bundle sheath
as a four-carbon compound, where it is released as carbon dioxide.
A three-carbon compound is transported back to the mesophyll
to continue the C 4 cycle. The waxy coating surrounding the bundle sheath lowers the outward diffusion of Carbon dioxide. The high concentration of Carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath limits the amount of Oxygen taken up by rubisco.

This is an interactive version of textbook Figure 5.13: Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C4 Plants, which is presented in a step-by-step manner. A description of the full figure follows. The C 4 leaf section has the following parts. In the center is Xylem and Phloem; around the xylem is the bundle sheath; around the bundle sheath is the spongy mesophyll cell. At the top above the mesophyll cell is the upper epidermis. At the bottom below the mesophyll cell is the lower epidermis. Carbon dioxide is taken up
in the mesophyll by PEP case and transported to the bundle sheath
as a four-carbon compound, where it is released as carbon dioxide.
A three-carbon compound is transported back to the mesophyll
to continue the C 4 cycle. The waxy coating surrounding the bundle sheath lowers the outward diffusion of Carbon dioxide. The high concentration of Carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath limits the amount of Oxygen taken up by rubisco.

This is an interactive version of textbook Figure 5.13: Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C4 Plants, which is presented in a step-by-step manner. A description of the full figure follows. The C 4 leaf section has the following parts. In the center is Xylem and Phloem; around the xylem is the bundle sheath; around the bundle sheath is the spongy mesophyll cell. At the top above the mesophyll cell is the upper epidermis. At the bottom below the mesophyll cell is the lower epidermis. Carbon dioxide is taken up
in the mesophyll by PEP case and transported to the bundle sheath
as a four-carbon compound, where it is released as carbon dioxide.
A three-carbon compound is transported back to the mesophyll
to continue the C 4 cycle. The waxy coating surrounding the bundle sheath lowers the outward diffusion of Carbon dioxide. The high concentration of Carbon dioxide in the bundle sheath limits the amount of Oxygen taken up by rubisco.

Interactive Figure 5.13 Morphological Specialization in the Leaves of C₄ Plants The spatial separation of CO₂ uptake (in the mesophyll cells) and the Calvin cycle (in the bundle sheath cells) minimizes photorespiration and maximizes photosynthetic rates under high temperatures.

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