CAM photosynthesis is very inefficient. Why? If it is so inefficient, then why do some plants have it?
Answer.
CAM pathway refers to Crassulacean Acid Metabolism - which is a method to fix CO2 and make sugar, via Calvin cycle.
It is inefficient, because it requires ATP at various steps of pathway.
CAM pathway is an adaptation to minimise photorespiration, which is a wasteful process. CAM pathway does this by separating steps of CO2 fixation and calvin cycle in time. It also helps to save water. Thus, it is present in plants which need to survive in very hot conditions and where water is scarce.
Eg. Pineapple, cactus.
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