C3 photosynthesis is the most common type of photosynthesis found in plants, where carbon dioxide is fixed into a three-carbon compound called 3-phosphoglycerate (3-PGA). This process occurs in the chloroplasts of plant cells and involves two main stages: the light-dependent reactions and the light-independent reactions, also known as the Calvin cycle. In C3 plants, such as wheat and rice, the initial carbon fixation occurs directly through the enzyme RuBisCO. While C3 photosynthesis is efficient under normal conditions, it can be less effective in hot and dry environments, leading to a process called photorespiration, which can reduce overall plant productivity.