AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -When there stomata are opened at night carbon dioxide is absorbed by the plant and is stored in the form of intermediate product called malic acid. This malic acid breaks during the day to release carbon dioxide and hence, desert plants can perform photosynthesis even though there stomata are closed during the day.

Detailed explanation-2: -Cacti store the carbon dioxide they take in during the night in their cells in the form a chemical called malic acid. In CAM plants, carbon dioxide is only gathered at night, when the stomata open.

Detailed explanation-3: -Like other green plants, desert plants also prepare food by photosynthesis, during which small pores (stomata) on a plant’s leaves and stems open to absorb CO₂ from the air.

Detailed explanation-4: -These desert plants take in carbon dioxide during the night time or when the temperature is cooler because during the day the stomata are closed to prevent transpiration or water loss.

Detailed explanation-5: -Such plants undergo CAM photosynthesis as they open up their stomata during night and take in CO2. Stomata remains close during the day time to prevent the loss of water by transpiration. They store the CO2 in their cells until the sun comes out and they can carry on with photosynthesis during the day time.