Umm... what plants convert CO2 -> O2 at night as claimed here? Photosynthesis = 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2 ... so unless you leave the lights (Energy) on at night, it's not happening...
Bromeliads and many succulents absorb CO2 and release O2 at night using CAM photosynthesis. They're tricky plants, opening their pores only at night to prevent water loss. The actual conversion is done during the day (in the light) using a sort of batch-mode conversion.
I suggest caution when surmising what millions of years of evolution can't do : )
Damn - great to learn, thanks! Though my point still stands, even with the CAM cycle, CO2 is converted to O2 during the day, they CAM plants just absorb CO2 at night... also it seems the CAM cycle produces much less O2 (obviously absorbing much less CO2 in the process) than other photosynthesis cycles...
I remember from intro bio that there is a category of plants (ones using the CAM metabolism pathway) that close their stomata (openings in the leaves) during the day to save water. So all the oxygen release and CO2 intake occurs at night, and photosynthesis still occurs during the day.
I'm guessing that the plants noted in this article are in that or a similar category; Wikipedia/Googling would provide a lot more info. Cheers!
Comments
Umm... what plants convert CO2 -> O2 at night as claimed here? Photosynthesis = 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy -> C6H12O6 + 6O2 ... so unless you leave the lights (Energy) on at night, it's not happening...
Bromeliads and many succulents absorb CO2 and release O2 at night using CAM photosynthesis. They're tricky plants, opening their pores only at night to prevent water loss. The actual conversion is done during the day (in the light) using a sort of batch-mode conversion.
I suggest caution when surmising what millions of years of evolution can't do : )
Damn - great to learn, thanks! Though my point still stands, even with the CAM cycle, CO2 is converted to O2 during the day, they CAM plants just absorb CO2 at night... also it seems the CAM cycle produces much less O2 (obviously absorbing much less CO2 in the process) than other photosynthesis cycles...
I remember from intro bio that there is a category of plants (ones using the CAM metabolism pathway) that close their stomata (openings in the leaves) during the day to save water. So all the oxygen release and CO2 intake occurs at night, and photosynthesis still occurs during the day.
I'm guessing that the plants noted in this article are in that or a similar category; Wikipedia/Googling would provide a lot more info. Cheers!