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This type of metabolism, refers to a mechanism of photosynthesis, that is, different from C3 and C4 pathways. Crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) is found only in succulents and other xerophytes or plants that grow in dry conditions.
In this type of metabolism, CO2 is taken up by the leaves on green stems through stomata which remain open during night. However, during day time, stomata in such plants remain closed to conserve moisture.
The CO2 taken up by succulent plants in night is fixed in the similar way as it takes place in C4 plants to form malic acid, which is being stored in vacuole.
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Hence, malic acid formed during night is used during day time as a source of CO2 for photosynthesis to proceed through C3 pathway.
Crassulacean metabolism is a kind of adaptation found in certain succulent plants such as pineapple to proceed photosynthesis without much loss of water, which generally occurs in plants with C3 and C4 pathways.
