Question

How do desert plants perform photosynthesis?

Answer 1

Photosynthesis in desert plants:

1. Photosynthesis is a photochemical reaction of oxidation and reduction in which solar energy is converted into chemical energy by absorbing environmental CO₂.
2. The overall balanced equation is $6C{O}_2+12H_{2}O\stackrel{sunlightenergy}{\to }{C}_6{H}_{12}{O}_6+6H_{2}O+6O_2$.
3. The plants found in deserts are fleshy and succulent.
4. Succulents show a slightly different photosynthesis mechanism, called crassulacean acid metabolism or CAM.
5. In these plants stomata are opened only at night. CO₂.
6. At night, CO₂ is absorbed by the stomata and converted into oxalo acetic acid or malic acid.
7. At that time, the pH becomes acidic in the cytoplasm.
8. During the daytime, the stomata remain closed so that no gaseous exchange can occur.
9. The decarboxylation of these acids takes place and CO₂ is released.
10. This CO₂ is used in the C₃ cycle and starch is synthesized.
11. The pH becomes high.
12. Plants that show CAM mechanisms are called CAM plants.
13. A high concentration of PEP carboxylase and PEP decarboxylase enzymes is found in these.
14. Examples of CAM plants are sedum, kalanchoe, pineapple, opuntia, and snake plants.