What is true about CAM plants such as cacti?

Answer 1

Cam plants, such as cacti, have certain characteristics that set them apart from other types of plants. Some true characteristics of CAM plants are:

1. CAM stands for Crassulacean Acid Metabolism, which is a specific type of photosynthetic pathway found in these plants.

2. CAM plants have adapted to arid and hot environments, where water availability is limited and temperatures are high.

3. These plants close their stomata (tiny openings on the leaf surface) during the day to reduce water loss through transpiration.

4. Unlike most plants, CAM plants open their stomata at night to take in carbon dioxide (CO2) and store it in the form of malic acid within specialized cells.

5. During the day, when the stomata are closed, CAM plants use these stored malic acids to complete the process of photosynthesis and produce energy.

6. The separation of carbon dioxide uptake at night and photosynthesis during the day allows CAM plants to minimize water loss while still conducting photosynthesis efficiently.

7. Due to their ability to inhibit water loss, CAM plants are well-suited for surviving in arid regions with little rainfall.

8. Many CAM plants, including cacti, have adapted to store water in their tissues, allowing them to survive in extreme drought conditions.

9. CAM plants typically have thick, succulent leaves or stems that store water and often have spines or thorns for protection.

10. Examples of CAM plants, besides cacti, include certain species of succulents, pineapples, agaves, and some orchids.