PEP carboxylase (Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase)

PEP carboxylase is an enzyme in plants that helps capture carbon dioxide from the air, which is essential for photosynthesis. It specifically catalyzes the reaction of a molecule called phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) with CO₂ to form oxaloacetate, a four-carbon compound. This process is especially important in certain plants like grasses and succulents that perform a type of photosynthesis called C4 or CAM. By efficiently fixing CO₂, PEP carboxylase enables these plants to photosynthesize effectively even when CO₂ levels are low or conditions are dry, helping them grow and survive in challenging environments.