Hey,
🌵 Why Xerophytes Reverse Their Stomatal Opening.
Xerophytes are plants adapted to dry environments -they use a reversed stomatal rhythm: their stomata are closed during the hot day and open at night.
🔬 Scientific Reasons (Based on CAM Photosynthesis).
These plants perform Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM): they open stomata at night to absorb CO₂, which is stored as malic acid in vacuoles. During the day, stomata remain closed to conserve water, while the stored CO₂ is used in photosynthesis.
Opening stomata at night minimizes water loss, since the nighttime temperatures are cooler and the humidity is higher, reducing evapotranspiration.
Reversed stomatal opening in some xerophytes—where stomata open at night instead of during the day—is caused by an adaptation to arid environments that helps minimize water loss. These plants, such as those using Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM), open their stomata at night when temperatures are lower and humidity is higher, reducing transpiration. During this time, they take in carbon dioxide and store it as malic acid, which is then used for photosynthesis during the day when the stomata remain closed. This reversed stomatal behavior is a survival strategy to conserve water while still allowing for gas exchange and photosynthesis.
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