Concept explainers
To describe:
Two alternative photosynthetic pathways found in plants and how these adaptations help plants.
Introduction:
Photosynthesis is a process in which light energy from the Sun is converted to chemical energy for use by the cell. Autotrophs use the solar energy along with carbon dioxide and water to form glucose and oxygen. The environment in which an organism lives has an impact on the organism’s ability to carry out photosynthesis. Decreased amount of water and carbon dioxide decreases the organism’s ability to convert light energy to chemical energy. Hence, many plants follow alternative pathways to maximize energy conversion.
Answer to Problem 27A
Two alternative photosynthetic pathways found in plants are C4and CAM pathways. These pathways allow for sufficient CO2 uptake while minimizing the water loss.
Explanation of Solution
There are alternative photosynthetic pathways found in plants:
- C4plants- This pathway helps plants like sugar cane and corn maintain photosynthesis while minimizing water loss. These plants are called C4 plants because they fix carbon dioxide into four carbon compounds instead of three- carbon compounds during the Calvin cycle. In these plants, the stomata remain closed during hot days while the four- carbon compounds are transferred to special cells where CO2 enters the Calvin cycle. This allows for sufficient CO2 uptake while minimizing the water loss.
- CAM plants- This is called the crassulacean acid
metabolism (CAM photosynthesis) used by some plants to maximize photosynthesis when there is scarcity of water. It is found in plants that live in deserts, salt marshes and other places where access to water is limited. CAM plants allow CO2 to enter leaves only at night when the air is cooler and humid. At night, these plants fix CO2into organic compounds. During the day, CO2 is released from the compounds and enters the Calvin cycle. This pathway also allows for sufficient CO2 uptake while minimizing the water loss.
Chapter 8 Solutions
Biology Illinois Edition (Glencoe Science)
Additional Science Textbook Solutions
Human Biology: Concepts and Current Issues
Human Anatomy & Physiology (2nd Edition)
Campbell Essential Biology with Physiology (5th Edition)
Microbiology: An Introduction
Human Physiology: An Integrated Approach (8th Edition)
Anatomy & Physiology (6th Edition)
- Human Anatomy & Physiology (11th Edition)BiologyISBN:9780134580999Author:Elaine N. Marieb, Katja N. HoehnPublisher:PEARSONBiology 2eBiologyISBN:9781947172517Author:Matthew Douglas, Jung Choi, Mary Ann ClarkPublisher:OpenStaxAnatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781259398629Author:McKinley, Michael P., O'loughlin, Valerie Dean, Bidle, Theresa StouterPublisher:Mcgraw Hill Education,
- Molecular Biology of the Cell (Sixth Edition)BiologyISBN:9780815344322Author:Bruce Alberts, Alexander D. Johnson, Julian Lewis, David Morgan, Martin Raff, Keith Roberts, Peter WalterPublisher:W. W. Norton & CompanyLaboratory Manual For Human Anatomy & PhysiologyBiologyISBN:9781260159363Author:Martin, Terry R., Prentice-craver, CynthiaPublisher:McGraw-Hill Publishing Co.Inquiry Into Life (16th Edition)BiologyISBN:9781260231700Author:Sylvia S. Mader, Michael WindelspechtPublisher:McGraw Hill Education