Solution:

The RuBisCO enzyme is attracted to both carbon dioxide and oxygen. This binding, however, is a competitor. It has a stronger affinity for carbon dioxide than it does for oxygen. The binding of RuBisCO to a specific molecule is influenced by the relative concentrations of carbon dioxide and oxygen. It is more accurately designated RUBP Carboxylase-Oxygenase since it functions as both a carboxylase and an oxygenase.

RuBisCO’s Importance:

RuBisCO bonds to carbon dioxide in C3 plants to create 3PGA.

Photorespiration is a process in which some RuBisCO interacts with oxygen to form phosphoglycerate and phosphoglycolate in C3 plants. In C3 plants, photorespiration lowers carbon fixation.

PEP carboxylase catalyzes the formation of oxaloacetic acid in C4 plants due to increasing carbon dioxide concentration in the vascular bundle. In this instance, photorespiration is inhibited, and carbon fixing is more efficient.