Friday, October 28, 2011

Comparison of C3, C4, CAM

C3: Are normal plants. They tend to take in CO2 and release O2 into the atmosphere. Their Stomatas can be open and let in CO2 easily if they have enough water. These plants thrive in cool, wet climates, and thus go through the light and dark cycle fairly well. They make up about 93% of Earth's plants population.
C4:Are plants that thrive in moderate daytime weather.The process separates C3 and C4 pathways to different part of the leaf. They open their stomata during the daytime. (The process first sends the CO2 into the Mesophyll cell then sends it off to the Rubisco). The CO2 is first incorporated into a four Carbon compound. C4 uses PEP Carboxylase for the enzyme that is involved with the uptake of CO2.This helps the plant take CO2 into the plant easier and delivers it to the Rubisco for the photosynthesis.
CAM: Are plants that take in CO2 through the stomata at night. It then joins with PEP to form a 4 carbon oxalacetic acid. Then converted into a 4 carbon malic acid that stores up and builds during the night. The stomata closes when morning arrives to conserve moisture. The malic acid is broken down to be released as CO2. Then transitions to the Calvin Cycle. Thus allowing these plants to thrive in intense hot climate. With poor soil moisture. Ex.) Cacti


pictures:
http://www.citruscollege.edu/lc/archive/biology/PublishingImages/c06_14.jpg
http://www.theresilientearth.com/files/images/c3_c4_cam_plants.jpg
http://plantcellbiology.masters.grkraj.org/html/Plant_Cell_Biochemistry_And_Metabolism6-Plant_Cell_Energy_transductions2-Photosynthesis_files/image065.jpg

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