Medical Definition of Hatch Slack Kortshak pathway
1.
Metabolic pathway responsible for primary carbon dioxide fixation in C4 plant photosynthesis.
The enzymes that are found in mesophyll chloroplasts include PEP carboxylase, that adds carbon dioxide to phosphoenolpyruvate to give the 4 carbon compound, oxaloacetate. Four carbon compounds are transferred to bundle sheath chloroplasts, where the carbon dioxide is liberated and re fixed by the Calvin Benson cycle.
The Hatch Slack Kortshak pathway permits efficient photosynthesis under conditions of high light intensity and low carbon dioxide concentration, avoiding the nonproductive effects of photorespiration.
Acronym: HSK pathway
(15 Nov 1997)
Lexicographical Neighbors of Hatch Slack Kortshak Pathway
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