This photosynthesis template analyzes RuBisCO's dual function fixing CO₂ in productive Calvin cycle or O₂ in wasteful photorespiration requiring peroxisome and mitochondria salvage pathways. It illustrates carbon concentration mechanisms minimizing photorespiration including C4 photosynthesis with spatial CO₂ concentration, CAM with temporal separation, and cyanobacterial carboxysomes. Environmental conditions affecting CO₂/O₂ ratios and regulatory mechanisms including RuBisCO activase are detailed. Critical for plant physiology education, agricultural optimization, and biotechnology efforts improving carbon fixation efficiency.
