Desert plants prefer to follow CAM photosynthetic pathway because
Desert plants prefer to follow CAM photosynthetic pathway because
The correct option is B it enables the stomata to be closed during the day
Desert plants are adapted to hot and dry climates. These plants have special morphological and physiological adaptations/mechanisms that allow them to conserve water and minimise water loss by transpiration from aerial parts of a plant.
Transpiration occurs, majorly, through the tiny pores on the leaves of a plant, stomata.
The stomata in most desert plants remain closed during the day to minimise transpiration. This can interfere with the plant’s photosynthetic ability as plants take in carbon dioxide via the stomatal pores.
Hence, these plants follow a specialised photosynthetic pathway known as the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway that allows the stomata to be closed during the day, without hampering the process of photosynthesis.
Plants which undergo CAM pathway open their stomata at night thus allowing the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the leaves. Carbon dioxide is fixed into a C4 acid (organic acid) during night and is stored in vacuoles. These stored organic acids are broken down to release carbon dioxide during day time. Carbon dioxide enters the Calvin Cycle and sugars are synthesised.
Thus, the CAM pathway allows these plants to perform photosynthesis during the day even when the stomata are closed.
Desert plants are adapted to hot and dry climates. These plants have special morphological and physiological adaptations/mechanisms that allow them to conserve water and minimise water loss by transpiration from aerial parts of a plant.
Transpiration occurs, majorly, through the tiny pores on the leaves of a plant, stomata.
The stomata in most desert plants remain closed during the day to minimise transpiration. This can interfere with the plant’s photosynthetic ability as plants take in carbon dioxide via the stomatal pores.
Hence, these plants follow a specialised photosynthetic pathway known as the Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway that allows the stomata to be closed during the day, without hampering the process of photosynthesis.
Plants which undergo CAM pathway open their stomata at night thus allowing the diffusion of carbon dioxide into the leaves. Carbon dioxide is fixed into a C4 acid (organic acid) during night and is stored in vacuoles. These stored organic acids are broken down to release carbon dioxide during day time. Carbon dioxide enters the Calvin Cycle and sugars are synthesised.
Thus, the CAM pathway allows these plants to perform photosynthesis during the day even when the stomata are closed.
