Abstract

GEYDAN, THOMAS DAVID  and  MELGAREJO, LUZ MARINA. Crassulacean Acid Metabolism. Acta biol.Colomb. [online]. 2005, vol.10, n.2, pp.3-16. ISSN 0120-548X.

A review of Crassulacean acid metabolism is presented, characterized by showing the occurrence, activity and plasticity of these complex mechanism at the physiological, biochemical and molecular level, framed by the presence of the denominated four phases in CAM and its repercussion and expression due to different stresses in an ecological context. The basic enzymes, and metabolites necessary for the optional functioning of CAM are presented as well as their mode of action and cellular control. Finally, it is shown how environmental conditions and molecular signalling mediate the phenotypic plasticity.

Keywords : Crassulasean acid metabolism CAM; phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase; metabolic plasticity.

        · abstract in Spanish     · text in Spanish     · Spanish ( pdf )