C3 Plants
Where do C3 plants carry out both photosynthesis reactions?
In the mesophyll cells.
What is the main advantage of C4 plants?
They conserve water and reduce oxygen exposure to rubisco.
What type of plants commonly use CAM photosynthesis?
Succulents and desert plants.
What gas do plants need for photosynthesis?
Carbon dioxide (CO₂).
Which plants do best in moderate environments?
C3 plants.
What type of environment are C3 plants best adapted for?
Moderate conditions.
Why can C4 plants keep their stomata closed longer?
They can concentrate and store CO₂, reducing water loss.
When do CAM plants open their stomata?
At night.
What molecule is produced during carbon fixation?
Sugars/carbohydrates.
Which plants are adapted to high temperature and limited rainfall?
C4 plants.
Why are C3 plants less effective in hot, dry environments?
They lose more water because they cannot keep stomata closed as effectively.
What type of environment favors C4 plants?
Hot, dry, high-light environments.
Why do CAM plants open stomata at night?
It is cooler, reducing water loss.
What enzyme is involved in carbon fixation?
Rubisco.
Which plants are best adapted to extremely arid environments?
CAM plants.
What happens to rubisco in stressful conditions?
Rubisco may interact with oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, reducing photosynthesis efficiency.
Why does separating reactions help C4 plants?
It prevents rubisco from interacting with oxygen, improving carbon fixation.
How do CAM plants separate photosynthesis reactions?
They separate them by time:
Why can oxygen be a problem for rubisco?
Rubisco may bind oxygen instead of carbon dioxide, reducing photosynthesis efficiency.
Why are CAM plants able to survive deserts?
They conserve water by opening stomata only at night and storing CO₂
Compare C3 plants to C4 plants.
C3:
C4:
Why are C4 plants successful despite being a small percentage of plant species?
They are highly adapted to stressful environments and include many productive and problematic weed species.
Compare C4 and CAM plants.
C4:
CAM:
Why is controlling stomata important?
Stomata regulate gas exchange while helping plants conserve water.
Explain the evolutionary trend of C4 and CAM plants.
They evolved adaptations that allow plants to survive environments with heat, drought, and high light by conserving water and improving carbon fixation.