Differences between C3, C4 and CAM plants

C3, C4, and CAM are the three types of photosynthesis which carries out similar functions. Their reactions relate most to light reactions. It also relates to the Calvin Cycle. The goal of water and CO2 is to pass through the stomata. C3, C4, and CAM all have their ways of getting through, however, C4 and CAM are much more efficient than the C3 fixation. C3 carbon fixation is a metabolic pathway for carbon fixation during the process of photosynthesis. Through the reaction 6Co2 + 6ruBP -> 12 3- phosphoglycerate, CO2 and ribulose bisphosphate is converted into - 3 phosphoglycerate. C3 pathways require 18 ATP. It is the most typically used in plants. C4 is when CO2 is driven out of the malate into the reaction than from the air. The C4 consumes much more energy than the C3 because CO2 molecules have to be fixed twice. C4 pathways require 30 ATP. It results in better water use efficiency. CAM plants save energy and water. It has better water use efficiency than C3 plants.  Its processes are faster than C3 plants under deserts high heat and light conditions due to extra biochemical pathways.

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