Plant Biology

RuBisCO (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) is the key enzyme in the Calvin cycle (dark reactions of photosynthesis). It catalyzes the fixation of CO2 by adding it to RuBP (ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate). While it can also react with oxygen (photorespiration), its affinity for CO2 is higher under normal conditions. It is not involved in the photolysis of water, which occurs in the light-dependent reactions.

Gemmae are small, multicellular structures produced by some bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, and hornworts) for asexual reproduction. They are dispersed from the parent plant and can develop into new individuals, allowing for rapid colonization and propagation without the need for fertilization.