5. Compare and contrast C3, C4, and CAM photosynthesis.
Comparison and contrast table of C3, C4, and CAM plants
Plant Characteristic |
C3 Pathway |
C4 Pathway |
CAM Pathway |
Photorespiration Rate |
High |
Low / Negligible |
Very Low / Negligible |
Leaf Anatomy |
Typical |
Kranz |
Xeromorphic |
Typical Environments for growth |
All |
Tropical, elevated daytime temperatures, drought |
Dry, arid |
Stoma Open During the Day? |
Yes |
Yes |
No |
Number of Steps in Pathway |
1 |
2 |
2 |
First Molecule Produced in Pathway |
3-phophoglyceric acid |
Malic acid or aspartic acid |
Malate |
Uses the Calvin Cycle? |
Yes |
Yes |
Yes |
1st CO2 acceptor |
RuBP (Ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate) |
PEP (Phosphoenolpyruvate) |
PEP (Phosphoenolpyruvate) |
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