CAM photosynthesis
Desert plant adaptation
CAM photosynthesis, short for crassulacean acid metabolism, is a water-conserving adaptation found in succulents, cacti, and other plants in arid environments.
Unlike most plants, CAM plants open their stomata at night to take in carbon dioxide, storing it as organic acids until daylight when photosynthesis occurs with stomata closed.
This reversal minimizes water loss through evaporation during hot daytime hours.
Pineapples and agave use CAM photosynthesis to thrive in dry conditions.
- stomataMicroscopic plant pores
- cactiSpiny water-storing plants
- agaveSpiny desert succulent
- vacuoleCell's storage compartment
- drought toleranceCapacity to withstand water scarcity
xerophytes · desert plants · malate · succulence · succulent leaves · organic acids · pineapple · kalanchoe · climate adaptation · dry climate · bromeliads · orchids · euphorbia · desert ecosystems · epiphytes · ice plant · aloe vera · C4
- desert survivalwater conservation, water storage, water retention, heat tolerance, drought tolerance
- plant adaptationsdrought tolerance, water storage, deep roots, spines, thorns
- xeriscapingxeriscaping, drought tolerant, water conservation, drought resistant, succulent
- survival adaptationsmimicry, camouflage, hibernation, venom, poison
- drought survivalcactus, succulent, xerophyte, deep roots, waxy leaves
- Desiccation Survivaltardigrades, tardigrade, water bears, water bear, brine shrimp