AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -It was first discovered in the plants of the Crassulaceae family. They are present in dry and arid environments. The CAM pathway is adapted to minimise water loss and photorespiration. Examples of CAM plants include cactus, pineapple, etc.

Detailed explanation-2: -Some plants that are adapted to dry environments, such as cacti and pineapples, use the crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway to minimize photorespiration.

Detailed explanation-3: -Pineapple (Ananas comosus (L.) Merr.) is the most economically valuable crop possessing crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM), a photosynthetic carbon assimilation pathway with high water-use efficiency, and the second most important tropical fruit.

Detailed explanation-4: -Cacti utilize CAM photosynthesis, a process unique to succulents. In CAM photosynthesis, stomata open only at night when the plant is relatively cool, so less moisture is lost through transpiration. However, photosynthesis also requires sunlight.

Detailed explanation-5: -Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Photosynthesis In this pathway, stomata open at night, which allows CO2 to diffuse into the leaf to be combined with PEP and form malate. This acid is then stored in large central vacuoles until daytime. During the day, malate is released from the vacuoles and decarboxylated.