Why does not photorespiration take place in `C_(4)` plants ?

Explanation

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Photorespiration**: Photorespiration is a process that occurs in plants, primarily in C3 plants, when the enzyme RuBisCO (Ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase) reacts with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide. This leads to a loss of fixed carbon and is generally considered wasteful.

2. **C3 vs C4 Plants**: C3 plants primarily use the Calvin cycle for photosynthesis, where RuBisCO is the main enzyme involved in carbon fixation. In contrast, C4 plants have evolved a different mechanism to fix carbon dioxide, which helps them minimize photorespiration.

3. **Mechanism in C4 Plants**: C4 plants utilize a two-step process for carbon fixation. The initial fixation of CO2 occurs in the mesophyll cells, where the enzyme phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEP carboxylase) is used instead of RuBisCO. This enzyme has a higher affinity for CO2 and does not react with O2, thus preventing photorespiration.

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