The C4 way

Verse 1:
In the fields of sugarcane, beneath the tropical sun,
Two scientists set out to find how carbon’s truly done.
Hal Hatch and Roger Slack, with their keen eyes and minds,
Tracked the path of carbon’s fate, a secret they would find. Chorus:
They found the C4 way, a new light on the green,
A pathway fast and clever, unlike what’s ever seen.
Four carbons in the first step, a twist to nature’s art,
Unlocking photosynthesis, a science work of heart. Verse 2:
Using radioactive tracers, they followed carbon’s trail,
From CO2 to malate, the story would unveil.
A double step to capture air, avoiding wasteful loss,
A pathway born to thrive in heat, where others might exhaust. Chorus:
They found the C4 way, a new light on the green,
A pathway fast and clever, unlike what’s ever seen.
Four carbons in the first step, a twist to nature’s art,
Unlocking photosynthesis, a science work of heart. Bridge:
Bundle sheath and mesophyll, a dance of cells so fine,
PEP carboxylase leads, making carbon shine.
No more photorespiration, efficiency is king,
Thanks to Hatch and Slack, the plants now sing. Chorus:
They found the C4 way, a new light on the green,
A pathway fast and clever, unlike what’s ever seen.
Four carbons in the first step, a twist to nature’s art,
Unlocking photosynthesis, a science work of heart. Outro:
Fifty years and counting, the pathway still inspires,
Fueling crops and life on Earth, igniting green desires.
Hatch and Slack, pioneers, their legacy will stay,
In every leaf that breathes the C4 way.