Most plants use the Calvin Cycle exclusively. Plants that fix carbon exclusively through the Calvin Cycle are known as C3 plants because the 3-C compound PGA is the first compound formed. Alternative pathways evolved for plants that live in hot, dry climates. Under such conditions plants can lose water to the air through their stomata. What are stomata?
Stomata: small pores, usually located on the
undersurface of leaves through which CO2 enters and O2 exits. Water loss also occurs through these pores. The C4 Pathway
C4 plants fix CO2 into 4-C compounds.
C4 plants have their stomata partially closed during the hottest part of the day to keep water. They have a special enzyme that can fix CO2 into 4-C compounds even when CO2 levels are low. These compounds are then transported to other cells where the CO2 is released and enters the Calvin Cycle. Examples of C4 plants include: corn, sugar cane, crabgrass. The CAM Pathway
CAM plants have a different adaptation to hot,
dry climates: they close their stomata during the day and open them at night. CAM plants take in CO2 at night and fix it into a variety of organic compounds. During the next day, the CO2 is released and enters the Calvin Cycle. CAM plants grow slowly because of this adaptation. Examples include: cactuses and pineapple.