What do CAM plants do to help reduce the loss of water and still capture carbon dioxide?

CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) plants have adapted a unique process to minimize water loss and still capture carbon dioxide for photosynthesis. Here's how they do it:

1. Night Time: Stomata Opening: Unlike most plants, CAM plants open their stomata (tiny pores on the leaf surface) at night. This is when the temperature and evaporation rates are much lower, reducing the amount of water lost.

2. Carbon Dioxide Capture: When the stomata are open, the plants take in carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. The carbon dioxide is converted into a four-carbon compound called malate, which is stored in the vacuoles of the plant cells until daylight.

3. Day Time: Stomata Closure: During the day, when temperatures rise and evaporation rates are high, CAM plants close their stomata to conserve water.

4. Photosynthesis: The stored malate is then transported out of the vacuoles and broken down to release the carbon dioxide within the cells. This carbon dioxide is used in the photosynthesis process to produce sugars, which are used for the plant's growth and development.

This adaptation allows CAM plants to live in arid conditions where water is scarce. Examples of CAM plants include cacti, succulents, and some