Can someone explain a bit more about C3 plants and C4 plants ?

Question

From what I understood C3 plants :"store" most of the CO2 and convert a bit. C4 plants convert most of the C02 and store a bit. Is it true or am I getting it wrong

Answer 1

Well, I am not an expert but I tried to refresh whatever I knew before by googling. And my head is spinning now - I used to think I understood this clearly but now I am all confused.

C3/C4 plants are distinguished by a reaction compound in the chemical pathway. C3 plants have somewhat of an immediate pathway and C4 plants have an extra step of absorbing CO2 as one compound, send it to a different place inside the leaves and then follow somewhat of a similar reaction (Calvin cycle, common between both) as C3 species. C3 works better because it is easier. C4 works better when it comes to using less water but more energy, so suited for drier climates.

CAM is even better. I love CAM plants and theren't a whole lot.

Here are two links you might want to read.

http://wc.pima.edu/~bfiero/tucsonecology...

http://www.bios.niu.edu/stafstrom/bios30...

But please don't ask me anymore questions about photosynthesis chemistry anymore - you know almost everything I know now :-).