What role does Rubisco play in the process of photorespiration?

Rubisco plays a crucial role in photorespiration by facilitating a process where it adds oxygen to ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP) instead of the usual carbon dioxide. Under normal circumstances, Rubisco catalyzes the fixation of carbon dioxide into RuBP, which is essential for the Calvin cycle in photosynthesis. However, when the CO2 concentration is low and oxygen concentration is high, which can occur under certain environmental conditions, Rubisco can inadvertently bind with oxygen instead. This reaction produces a compound that leads to a series of steps resulting in the release of CO2, thus reducing the overall efficiency of photosynthesis. This phenomenon is known as photorespiration, which is generally considered a wasteful process, as it can lead to decreased sugar production in plants. Therefore, the statement that Rubisco adds oxygen to RuBP instead of carbon dioxide accurately describes its role in photorespiration.