Lecture 5 - CAM Flashcards
CAM you dig it/?? A relaly good film , I'd recommend waching hte warriors tbh
What is CAM?
Crassalucean Acid Metabolism
Where are CAM plants frequent?
CAM is frequent in areas which are very dry and either have simply very low rainfall or varied, fluctuating rainfall.
What is a bromeliad?
A bromeliad is a pineapple.
What’s Tillandsia usenoides
Tillandsia usenoides is a Spanish moss.
What is an epiphyte?
An epiphyte lives on other plants, so its roots dry out quick.
Where are ‘desert’ microclimates in rainforests?
The rainforest canopy, as it is direct view of sunlight can act as a ‘microclimate’.
What does a lack of water lead to in plants?
A lack of water in plants leads to increased photorespiration.
What temperature and humidity are characteristic of desert regions.
30C + degrees and 60% humidity are characteristic of desert regions.
60% humidity is a relatively low humidity.
30c+ degrees and 60% humidity (quite low apparently)
What is the primary adaptation of CAM beneficial for?
CAM is beneficial especially in fluctuating water systems.
What % of angiosperm species are CAM plants?
7% of Angiosperms are CAM plants.
What is CAM associated with?
CAM is associated with succulent plants, water conservation and lots of cells in tissues.
A ‘squishy’ plant is often a CAM plant.
What is CAM in terms of C mechanisms
CAM plants have a temporal separation of the Calvin Cycle and Carbon fixation.
This simply means different reactions happen at different times of the day.
Fixation occurs at night.
When are stomata open in CAM
During night, so low water loss while carrying out C fixation. In day they close stomata to avoid losing water.
What happens when day comes for CAM plants?
Stoamta closed and Calvin Cycle continues during the day.
Explain process of CO2 in CAM
Converted to HCO3- ions, then thats used to convert C3->C4 (cata by pep carboxy) usually malate
What happens to malate
Moved into vacuole, stored throughout night and gets high levels, returns to C3 i nday via co2 release where it can be used in calvin cycle. Hence spatial separation where plant cna do photosynth during the day when stomata closed
What happens in CO2 fixiation in sugars IN CAM?
CO2 fixation goes up overnight, and is low during the day.
What happens to malate levels during a day?
Increases during day, decreases at night
Why isn’t CAM so efficient?
Since doesn’t photosynthesise during the day.