Question

CAM helps the plants in __________.

• A. secondary growth
• B. primary growth
• C. transporting minerals and nutrients from the soil
• D. reducing loss of water by transpiration

Answer 1

The correct option is D reducing loss of water by transpiration

CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism pathway) helps the plants in reducing loss of water by transpiration. Plants, like cactus, use water in an efficient manner by opening the stomata during the night and closing during day time. This minimizes water loss in these plants. During the night, $C{O}_2$ is stored in the form of malic acid in the vacuoles. During the day, this malic acid is converted to malate. Then malate is converted to pyruvate, and $C{O}_2$ is released. This $C{O}_2$ is then used in photosynthesis.