Question

Why does photorespiration not occur in CAM plants?

Answer 1

Photorespiration:

1. Contrary to the typical pattern of photosynthesis, many higher plants have a respiratory process called photorespiration where they absorb oxygen from the air and release some carbon dioxide.
2. As an adaptation to arid environments, some plants developed a carbon fixation mechanism known as crassulacean acid metabolism, or CAM photosynthesis, which enables a plant to photosynthesize during the day but only exchange gases at night.
3. Because CAM plants use PEP Carboxylase rather than RUBISCO for the absorption of carbon dioxide, photorespiration does not occur in them.