2. (a) i) Two structural adaptations of the maize leaf that favour the C4 pathway of photosynthesis are:
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2. (a) i) Two structural adaptations of the maize leaf that favour the C4 pathway of photosynthesis are:
• Kranz anatomy: This refers to the distinct arrangement of cells where vascular bundles are surrounded by large, chloroplast-rich bundle sheath cells, which are then surrounded by mesophyll cells. This compartmentalization allows for the spatial separation of carbon fixation steps.
• Presence of dimorphic chloroplasts: Mesophyll cells contain smaller chloroplasts that lack starch grains, while the bundle sheath cells contain larger chloroplasts with starch grains. This specialization allows different parts of the C4 pathway to occur in different cell types.
2. (a) ii) The light-independent stage (Calvin cycle) in a
