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Many cactus plants, such as the species shown in the illustration, use a special type of photosynthesis called CAM photosynthesis. This specialized process allows the cactus plant to keep the stoma or leaf openings closed during the day. Most other plant species keep their stoma open during daylight hours. Which is the MOST likely reason that cactus use this special photosynthetic process? A) retain oxygen B) conserve water C) avoid insect predators D) conserve energy in the form of ATP

User Wolli
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B because cactus' are usually in a dry environment, they close their stomata during the day to keep water vapor from leaving the plant. Instead they do their processes at night to avoid extreme water loss.

User Wisn
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Ans. (B). conserve water.

Cactus plants grow in dry and arid conditions. These plants have adapted to perform CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) photosynthesis, which helps them to conserve water.

Plants that use CAM pathway open their stomata during night to take CO2 for photosynthesis, while their stomata remain closed during the day to reduces evaporation or transpiration and conserve water.

Thus, the correct answer is option (B).

User Ariel Malka
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