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Stomata remain closed in desert plants during day time. How dothey perform photosynthesis?

Question

Stomata remain closed in desert plants during day time. How do they perform photosynthesis?

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Solution

Desert plants, such as cacti, have adapted to survive in harsh, arid conditions where water is scarce. They have developed a special type of photosynthesis known as Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis. Here's how it works:

  1. During the night, when the temperature is cooler, the stomata (tiny pores on the surface of the leaves) open to allow carbon dioxide (CO2) to enter the plant. This is the opposite of most plants, which open their stomata during the day.

  2. The CO2 is stored in the form of malate, a four-carbon compound, in the vacuoles of the plant cells. This process is facilitated by an enzyme called PEP carboxylase.

  3. During the day, when the stomata are closed to prevent water loss through transpiration, the stored CO2 is released from the malate.

  4. The CO2 then enters the Calvin cycle, a series of reactions that occur in the chloroplasts of the plant cells. Here, the CO2 is used to produce glucose, the end product of photosynthesis.

  5. The glucose is used by the plant for growth and development, while the oxygen produced as a byproduct is released into the atmosphere.

This adaptation allows desert plants to perform photosynthesis while conserving water, a crucial survival strategy in their dry habitats.

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What is the function of stomata?Calvin cyclesurrounding photosystemswater absorptiongas exchange

(ii) When do the desert plants take up carbon dioxide and perform photosynthesis ?

The group of plants where stomata are open at night and close by day timeEpiphytesSucculentsMangrovesHydrophytes

Where do plants get their energy from?They perform cellular respiration and use the glucose they createThe sunChemosynthesis

Which part of the plant takes in carbon dioxide from the air for photosynthesis?

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