Different Types of Photosynthesis: What is C3, C4, and CAM Photosynthesis

There is plant life all throughout the world in all kinds of different ecosystems, from deserts, to jungles, to even very cold climates. Depending on where a plant lives, it needs to have different adaptations in order to be able to survive. There are special types of photosynthesis that include C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis.

Plants that live in areas that get little light and rainfall typically use C3 photosynthesis. Additionally, for plants that live in areas where the weather is typically very hot and very dry, it is essential that they find a way to prevent the loss of water, so they also use this type of photosynthesis. However they can also use C4 photosynthesis in some cases. Plant life that live in these areas, they have to close their stomata in order to reduce the amount of water that they lose. Because of this, the amount of carbon dioxide that they are able to absorb is also limited so they typically have a large amount of oxygen built up.

Other plants use the C4 photosynthesis process. There are only certain types of plants that are able to use this type because they have a special anatomy that is different from other plants. For example, a C3 plant has mesophyll cells are arranged in parallel rows which is where the Calvin cycle reactions occur. However, I see for plants as a waiter arrangement is found around the leaf veins. What's special about this type of plant is that chloroplasts are what fixes the CO2 and the CO2 alone, shielding other cells from a large build up of oxygen.

CAM, or crassulacean acid metabolism photosynthesis is another special type of photosynthesis that plants use. This type of processes used mostly for plants that live in a hot, dry desert environment. What happened during this process is that during nighttime, when it is not as hot outside, the plant opens its stomata. It then uses see three molecules in order to fix carbon dioxide and form C4 molecules. Since his very hot during the day typically, it keeps its stomata closed in order to preserve its limited supply of water. Additionally, it is able to release its stored carbon dioxide when its NADPH and ATP are available from white reactions that occur through solar energy. This type of plant is ideal in hot, dry areas, but it does not do too well in areas that tend to be colder.

Source:

Benitz, Bill. Lecture: Biology. September 7, 2009