Why Might the Alternative Pathways of Photosynthesis Using C4 or CAM

question 50

Multiple Choice

Why might the alternative pathways of photosynthesis using C4 or CAM systems be described as metabolic compromises?

• A) Both pathways increase the rate of photosynthesis but also increase the rate of water loss.
• B) The CAM pathway allows more CO₂ into the plant but also increases the rate of water loss.
• C) The C4 pathway decreases water loss but also increases the rate of photorespiration.
• D) Both pathways minimise photorespiration but also expend more ATP during carbon fixation.

---

Definitions:

Total Cost of Ownership

An estimate of all direct and indirect costs associated with acquiring, operating, and maintaining a product or system over its entire lifecycle.

Learning Curve

A concept indicating that the more often a task is performed, the lower the cost of doing it will become, due to increased efficiency and familiarity with the process.

Activity-Based Costing

A costing methodology that assigns costs to products and services based on the resources they consume, aiming for more accurate product costing and profitability analysis.

Nonvalue-Adding Activities

Tasks or processes that consume resources but do not add value or contribute to the customer's satisfaction or product's final worth.