The primary drawback of the C₃ photosynthetic pathway is that

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The primary drawback of the C₃ photosynthetic pathway is the fact that the enzyme Rubisco, which is responsible for fixing CO₂, can also act as an oxygenase under certain conditions. This results in the production of a toxic compound and the loss of energy and carbon that were initially invested in the process. This problem is known as photorespiration and is responsible for reducing the efficiency of C₃ plants under high temperatures and drought conditions.

The Primary Drawback of the C₃ Photosynthetic Pathway Is That