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. 1980 Nov;66(5):931–934. doi: 10.1104/pp.66.5.931

Diffusional Contribution to Carbon Isotope Fractionation during Dark CO2 Fixation in CAM Plants 1

Marion H O'Leary 1,2,3, C Barry Osmond 1,2,3
PMCID: PMC440755  PMID: 16661555

Abstract

A mathematical model is developed which can be used to predict in vivo carbon isotope fractionations associated with carbon fixation in plants in terms of diffusion, CO2 hydration, and carboxylation components. This model also permits calculation of internal CO2 concentration for comparison with results of gas-exchange experiments. The isotope fractionations associated with carbon fixation in Kalanchoë daigremontiana and Bryophyllum tubiflorum have been measured by isolation of malic acid following dark fixation and enzymic determination of the isotopic composition of carbon-4 of this material. Corrections are made for residual malic acid, fumarase activity, and respiration. Comparison of these data with calculations from the model indicates that the rate of carbon fixation is limited principally by diffusion, rather than by carboxylation. Processes subsequent to the initial carboxylation also contribute to the over-all isotopic composition of the plant.

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Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

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