Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which pathway do CAM plants follow and how is it different from the C4 pathway?
Which pathway do CAM plants follow and how is it different from the C4 pathway?
CAM plants follow a similar pathway to C4 plants, but instead of oxaloacetate being converted into malate, it is converted into malic acid. The malic acid is then transported to the vacuole of a cell instead of bundle sheath cells like in a C4 plant [spatial separation (in space)].
What is the main advantage of CAM plants and how do they achieve it?
What is the main advantage of CAM plants and how do they achieve it?
The main advantage of CAM plants is that their stomata are open at night [temporal separation (in time)], which greatly reduces water loss. During this time, the malic acid is transported out of the vacuole and converted back to OOA, releasing carbon dioxide.
Why are crop plants such as sorghum and wheat well adapted to photosynthesis efficiently in Ethiopia, while crops such as peas and carrots would not produce high yields?
Why are crop plants such as sorghum and wheat well adapted to photosynthesis efficiently in Ethiopia, while crops such as peas and carrots would not produce high yields?
Crop plants that are grown in Ethiopia (such as sorghum and wheat) are all C4 plants and are well adapted to photosynthesis efficiently in the hot, bright days found in this country. Crop plants that are grown in temperate areas (such as peas and carrots) would not photosynthesize as efficiently, because they are C3 plants.
