C3 versus C4 plants

C3 and C4 plants differ in how they convert sunlight into energy. C3 plants, like wheat and rice, use a process called photosynthesis that directly captures carbon dioxide (CO₂) in most conditions, but less efficiently under high heat and sunlight. C4 plants, such as maize and sugarcane, have developed an additional step that concentrates CO₂, making photosynthesis more efficient in hot, sunny environments. This adaptation helps C4 plants grow better in dry, high-temperature areas, while C3 plants often thrive in cooler, wetter climates.