Environment, Ecology and

Biodiversity Series – Simplifying for

Civil Services Exams P1
CONCEPTUALISED, COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AKSHAY VRAT (TO BE SUPPLEMENTED WITH CLASS
DISCUSSIONS)

C3 C4 and CAM PATHWAY PHOTOSYNTHETIC ADAPTATIONS

• Photosynthesis is the most important chemical reaction on Earth. It sets the basis for all aerobic life of
Earth.
• The Photosynthesis process requires CO2 + H2O and Sunlight that is converted into Biomass in the form of
Glucose (Carbohydrate/ Biomass) and releases Oxygen as a residue.
• The process of photosynthesis is divided into two reactions i.e. Light Reaction and Dark Reaction.
• Light reaction happens in presence of Sunlight with the help of Chlorophyll pigment. Here Sun’s energy is
converted in to a chemical energy inside the leaves in the forms chemical compounds similar to ATP.
• Dark reaction also known as Calvin Cycle is triggered after the Light Reaction in which Biomass is
produced by absorption of CO2 and H2O. This reaction depends surrounding Temperature. Remember
the actual carbohydrate formation happens in the Dark reaction.
• Thus the photosynthetic process depends on surrounding temperature and humidity. This is due to varied
climatic regions on Earth. For e.g., the availability of water in Desert compared to Rainforest is different
thus plants found in these regions must adapt with certain changes in their photosynthetic processes.
• C3 C4 and CAM Pathways are different photosynthetic adaptations in plants depending on their climatic
conditions.

• Here the dark reaction happens during the day time.

• It is called C3 simply because it forms a 3 carbon compound first while making
Carbohydrates in the Dark reaction. But from Environmental Science (UPSC)
perspective it is not very relevant.
• Found in more than 90% plants on earth. Mostly prevalent in areas of low to high
temperature and wet conditions. Although its Photosynthetic efficiency decreases
with increase in temperature.
• Here the Stomata remains open throughout the Day. These plants observe an
C3 Pathway increase in productivity during an increase in Atmospheric CO2 concentrations.
• As the Stomata remains open, its photosynthetic efficiency is poor due to high rate
of photorespiration of Carbohydrates and it also keeps losing H2O through
transpiratory losses.
• E.g., of C3 Plants: Wheat, Rye, Oats, Rice, Cotton, Sunflower, Soybean.
• Impact of Climate change is evident on them due to increase in temperature and
decline in surface moisture levels.
• P.S.: from the context of Biological Sciences C3 Pathways shall require a detailed
discussion which may not be needed for the subject of Ecology. Also the Stomata
technically never fully closes.

GENERAL SCIENCE CONCEPTUALISED, COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AKSHAY VRAT 1

ENVIRONMENT ECOLOGY AND BIODIVERSITY SERIES - SIMPLIFYING FOR CSE

• It is another type of photosynthetic adaptation. Named C4 for the same reason i.e.
a 4 Carbon compound is formed during the Dark reaction.
• C4 plants are found in hot, dry conditions and can fix CO2 more efficiently than C3
plants under these conditions.
C4 Pathway • Here the Stomata opens in the day time but only for limited duration to absorb
CO2 which reduces the rate of photorespiration, increases their efficiency at fixing
CO2 and reduces transpiratory water loss.
• C4 plants are better tolerant to drought and high temperatures than C3 plants,
which allows them to grow well in hot, dry regions.
• E.g., Maize, Sorghum, Sugarcane, Millet.
• CAM or crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) pathway is another specialised
Photosynthetic adaptation. Dark reaction happens at Night.
• CAM plants are adapted to arid conditions and can fix CO2 at night, when the
stomata are open and atmospheric CO2 concentrations are higher.
CAM Pathway
• It can conserve water by opening their stomata at night (Skotoactive) and closing
them during the day to reduce water loss through transpiration.
• It has better tolerance to dry and hot conditions than C3 and C4 plants.
• E.g. Pineapple, Pipal, Neem, Cactus, Areca palm.

GENERAL SCIENCE CONCEPTUALISED, COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY AKSHAY VRAT 2