Discuss, why is rubisco the key enzyme for the production of worlds food

Rubisco is the major enzyme used to catalyse the carbon fixation step during the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis.

During carbon fixation, RUBP undergoes a redox reaction with CO2 to form 3-phosphoglycerate (a 3 carbon compound). 3-phosphoglycerate then undergoes phosphorylation by ATP and reduction by NADPH to form glycerate 3 phosphate molecules (main product), ADP and NADP+ molecules (by product).

Some Glycerate 3 phosphate produced are used to regenerate RUBP for the Calvin cycle to continue while the rest of the Glycerate 3 Phosphate is used to synthesise monosaccharides like glucose.

Without Rubisco, carbon fixation cannot occur and RUBP will not be able to combine with C02 to form a 6 carbon unstable intermediate the breaks down to form 3-phosphoglycerate and eventually undergoing more reactions to form glycerate 3 phosphate which is the basic product of photosynthesis used to synthesise glucose and eventually starch which serves as the world's food.

1. efficient use of space

2. elimination of groundwater contamination

3. energy generation

4. lower carbon footprint