C3, C4, and CAM

c3 plants have their stomata open during the day. Their photosynthesis occurs within and throughout their leaves. c3 is more efficient than c4 adn CAM plants because c3 plants requires less energy. Most of the plants that we encounter at c3 plants. Carbon dioxide was firts incorporated into three-carbon component


c4 plants also have their stomata open during the day. Although c3 plants are mroe efficient, c4 plants are faster than c3 plants under high light intensity and temperatures. Furthermore, c4 plants have better water efficiency. carbon dioxide first incorporated into four-carbon compound. An example of a c4 plant would be corn.


CAM plants or Crassulacean Acid Metabolism plants, on the other hand, have their stomata open during the night due to the fact that evaporation rates are lower during the night time. If the conditions are too extreme during the night, their stomata may close during that time period as well. CAM plants have better water efficiency than c3 plants under arid conditions and the carbon dioxide was first stored in the form of acid before use. An example of a Crassulacean Acid Metabolism plant would be cacti.


References:
google images
The Biology book
http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/biology/phoc.html
http://www.biologie.uni-hamburg.de/b-online/e24/24b.htm
http://wc.pima.edu/Bfiero/tucsonecology/plants/plants_photosynthesis.htm