Net photosynthetic CO2 assimilation: more than just CO2 and O2 reduction cycles

Abstract

Net photosynthetic assimilation in C₃ plants is mostly viewed as a simple balance between CO₂ fixation by Rubisco-catalyzed carboxylation and CO₂ production by photorespiration (and to a lower extent, by day respiration) that can be easily manipulated during gas exchange experiments using the CO₂ : O₂ ratio of the environment. However, it now becomes clear that it is not so simple, because the photosynthetic response to gaseous conditions involves 'ancillary' metabolisms, even in the short-term. That is, carbon and nitrogen utilization by pathways other than the Calvin cycle and the photorespiratory cycle, as well as rapid signaling events, can influence the observed rate of net photosynthesis. The potential impact of such ancillary metabolisms is assessed as well as how it must be taken into account to avoid misinterpretation of photosynthetic CO₂ response curves or low O₂ effects in C₃ leaves.

Keywords: anaplerosis; ethylene; nitrogen assimilation; photorespiration; photosynthesis; respiration.