Question

Pineapple is a

• A. C3 Plant
• B. C2 Plant
• C. C4 Plant
• D. CAM Plant

Hint:

Remember key examples for each photosynthetic pathway: C3 (Rice, Wheat), C4 (Maize, Sugarcane), and CAM (Pineapple, Cacti). This classification is fundamental in plant physiology and agronomy.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is D

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
This question asks to classify the Pineapple plant based on its photosynthetic pathway. There are three major pathways: C3, C4, and CAM.

Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
\[\begin{array}{rl} \bullet & \text{C3 Photosynthesis: The most common pathway, used by plants like rice, wheat, and soybean. } \\ \bullet & \text{C4 Photosynthesis: An adaptation to hot, sunny climates, used by plants like maize, sugarcane, and sorghum. It is more efficient in high light and temperature. } \\ \bullet & \text{Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) Photosynthesis: An adaptation to arid or dry conditions. CAM plants open their stomata at night to fix CO\(_2\) into organic acids, and then release this CO\(_2\) for photosynthesis during the day when stomata are closed to conserve water. } \\ \end{array}\] Pineapple (Ananas comosus) is a classic textbook example of a CAM plant. This adaptation allows it to thrive in conditions where water conservation is crucial. Other CAM plants include cacti, succulents, and agave. (Note: C2 pathway refers to photorespiration, not a primary photosynthetic pathway).

Step 3: Final Answer:
Pineapple is a CAM plant.