Photorespiration is characteristic of

Options

A. (a) `C_(3)` plants
B. (b) `C_(4)` plants
C. (c) `CAM` plants
D. (d) All the above

Answer

### Step-by-Step Solution:

1. **Understanding Photorespiration**:
- Photorespiration is a process that occurs in plants where the enzyme ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (rubisco) fixes oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, leading to a wasteful pathway that does not produce energy.

2. **Identifying the Plants**:
- There are different types of plants based on their photosynthetic pathways:
- **C3 Plants**: These plants use the Calvin cycle for photosynthesis and are characterized by the presence of rubisco, which can fix both CO2 and O2.
- **C4 Plants**: These plants have a modified pathway that minimizes photorespiration by separating the initial CO2 fixation and the Calvin cycle spatially.
- **CAM Plants**: These plants also minimize photorespiration by fixing CO2 at night and conducting the Calvin cycle during the day.

3. **Analyzing the Options**:
- **Option A (C3 plants)**: Photorespiration is characteristic of C3 plants because rubisco can fix oxygen when CO2 levels are low.
- **Option B (C4 plants)**: C4 plants have adaptations that prevent photorespiration, making this option incorrect.
- **Option C (CAM plants)**: CAM plants also avoid photorespiration through their unique CO2 fixation process, making this option incorrect as well.
- **Option D (All the above)**: Since only C3 plants exhibit significant photorespiration, this option is also incorrect.

4. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer is **Option A (C3 plants)**, as photorespiration is primarily a characteristic of these plants.