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Why do hot and dry conditions favor photorespiration

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Final answer:

Hot and dry conditions favor photorespiration in plants because when stomata are closed to conserve water, the enzyme Rubisco catalyzes "O₂ fixation" instead of fixing CO₂, leading to a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency.

Step-by-step explanation:

Hot and dry conditions favor photorespiration in plants because in these conditions, plants close their stomata to conserve water. When stomata are closed, CO₂ cannot enter the leaves and O₂ cannot leave, leading to a decrease in CO₂ levels and an increase in O₂ levels. As a result, the enzyme Rubisco, which is involved in the Calvin Cycle of photosynthesis, starts catalyzing a process called "O₂ fixation" instead of fixing CO₂. This process produces undesirable byproducts and leads to a decrease in photosynthetic efficiency. Hot and dry conditions exacerbate this process, making photorespiration more prevalent.

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