C4 photosynthesis is a process used by certain plants to efficiently capture carbon dioxide and convert it into energy. This method is particularly advantageous in hot and dry environments, where water loss is a concern. C4 plants, such as maize and sorghum, have specialized leaf structures that allow them to concentrate carbon dioxide, minimizing photorespiration and maximizing photosynthetic efficiency. In C4 photosynthesis, carbon dioxide is first fixed into a four-carbon compound before entering the Calvin cycle. This adaptation enables C4 plants to thrive in conditions that would be challenging for traditional C3 plants, which directly fix carbon dioxide into a three-carbon compound. As a result, C4 plants often exhibit higher productivity in warm climates.