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Multiple Choice
Desert plants are most likely to have which adaptation to minimize water loss?
A
Increased stomatal opening during the day
B
C4 photosynthesis
C
CAM photosynthesis
D
C3 photosynthesis
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the environmental conditions of a desert, which include high temperatures and low water availability, necessitating adaptations in plants to conserve water.
Learn about stomatal behavior: Stomata are small openings on the surface of leaves that allow for gas exchange. In desert plants, minimizing water loss is crucial, so stomata often open at night when temperatures are cooler and humidity is higher.
Explore CAM photosynthesis: CAM (Crassulacean Acid Metabolism) is an adaptation where plants open their stomata at night to fix CO2, storing it as malic acid. During the day, the stomata close to conserve water, and the stored CO2 is used for photosynthesis.
Compare CAM photosynthesis with C3 and C4 photosynthesis: C3 photosynthesis is the most common form but is less efficient in hot, dry environments. C4 photosynthesis is more efficient in high light and temperature but does not specifically address water conservation like CAM.
Conclude that CAM photosynthesis is the most effective adaptation for desert plants to minimize water loss, as it allows them to perform photosynthesis while keeping stomata closed during the hottest and driest part of the day.