Carbon fixation

From Free net encyclopedia

Carbon fixation is a process found in autotrophs, usually driven by photosynthesis, whereby carbon dioxide is converted into organic compounds. In plants, there are three types:

• C₃ - plant that uses the Calvin Cycle for the initial steps that incorporate CO₂ into organic matter, forming a 3-carbon compound as the 1^st stable intermediate.

• C₄ - plant that prefaces the Calvin Cycle with reactions that incorporate CO₂ into 4-carbon compound. This pathway is found mostly in hot regions with intense sunlight.

• CAM - plant that uses Crassulacean acid metabolism as an adaptation for arid conditions. CO₂ entering the stomata during the night is converted into organic acids, which release CO₂ for the Calvin Cycle during the day, when the stomate is closed.de:Kohlenstoffdioxid-Fixierung

fr:Fixation du carbone ja:炭素固定