AIIMS2019Botany-Photosynthesis

AIIMS 2019 Botany C₃ and C₄ Cycles Assertion Reason Question

Type: Assertion Reason-conceptual-Medium-Class 11

Assertion: In C₃ cycle, the first stable compound is 3C compound Reason: In C₄ plants Calvin cycle is absent

A

If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.

B

If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.

C

If assertion is true but reason is false

D

If both assertion and reason are false.

Correct Answer

Option C

Detailed Explanation

In the C₃ cycle, the first stable compound formed is 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA), which is indeed a 3-carbon (3C) compound, making the assertion true. However, the reason is false because C₄ plants do utilize the Calvin cycle, albeit with an initial fixation of CO₂ into a 4-carbon compound (oxaloacetate) before entering the Calvin cycle. Therefore, while the assertion is true, the reason does not correctly explain it, validating option C. Options A and B are incorrect because they either misattribute the relationship between the assertion and reason or incorrectly state the truth of the reason. Option D is incorrect as the assertion is true.

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