What Happens During Photorespiration

Question

What happens during photorespiration?
A) The Calvin cycle produces twice as much glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate (G3P).
B) The enzyme rubisco uses oxygen as its substrate for the reaction with ribulose bisphosphate.
C) Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) is broken down into glycolate.
D) A second wave of light reactions occurs to replace the Calvin cycle.

Accepted Answer

During photorespiration, the enzyme rubisco mistakenly uses oxygen as its substrate instead of carbon dioxide, resulting in the breakdown of ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) into a two-carbon compound called glycolate. This process is energy-inefficient and can limit plant growth.