Abstract
Photosynthesis involves the exchange of carbon dioxide and oxygen which occurs through the stomata of the leaf epidermis. This exchange, however, also means that water is lost from the leaf, which can cause a problem for the plant. Normally, water loss is controlled by the closure of the stomata during water stress. However, for desert plants, opening the stomata during the day-when light is available for photosynthesiscould cause a potentially harmful loss ofwater . In some plants this problem has been overcome by segregating, on a temporal basis, the fixation and reduction of carbon dioxide.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Bidwell, R.G.S . (1983) ‘Carbon nutrition of plants: photosynthesis and respiration’, in Plant Physiology: A Treatise (F.C. Steward, ed.), Vol. VII. Energyand Carbon Metabolism (F.C. Steward and R.G.S. Bidwell, eds.), Academic Press, New York, 287–458.
Gardestrom, P. and Edwards, G.E. (1985) ‘Leaf mitochondria (C3 +C4 + CAM)’, in Encyclopedia of Plant Physiology. New Series, Vol. 18, Higher Plant Cell Respiration (R. Douce and D.A. Day, eds.), Springer Verlag, Berlin, 314–346.
Osmond, G.B. and Holtum, J.A.M. (1981) ‘Crassulacean acid metabolism; in The Biochemistry of Plants: A Comprehensive Treatise (P.K. Stumpf and E.E. Conn, eds), Vol. 8, Photosynthesis, (M.D. Hatch and N.K. Boardman, eds.), Academic Press, New York, 283–329.
Ting, I.P. (1985) Crassulacean acid metabolism. Ann. Rev. Pl. Physiol. 36, 595–622.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1987 Springer Science+Business Media New York
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Dennis, D.T. (1987). An Adaptation to Xerophytic Conditions: The CAM Plants. In: The Biochemistry of Energy Utilization in Plants. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3121-3_12
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-009-3121-3_12
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-0-216-91998-3
Online ISBN: 978-94-009-3121-3
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive