Chapter 13 – Photosynthesis in Higher Plants

Photorespiration is a wasteful process that inhibits photosynthesis by diverting RuBisCO activity from carbon fixation. It reduces the production of glucose and oxygen, important products of photosynthesis. In addition, photorespiration consumes ATP instead of producing it, resulting in a loss of energy for the plant. It also leads to a loss of fixed carbon through the release of carbon dioxide, which further reduces carbon gain.