The role of malic acid in CAM plants is to:

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Appears in NEET UG
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  • AAct as the primary CO2 acceptor at night.
  • BServe as a direct energy source for the Calvin cycle.
  • CStore fixed CO2 during the night for use during the day.
  • DFacilitate water transport across the leaf.
Explanation

In CAM plants, CO2 is fixed at night by PEP carboxylase, forming malic acid. This malic acid is then stored in the vacuole and later decarboxylated during the day to release CO2, which is then used in the Calvin cycle when light energy (ATP and NADPH) is available. So, it stores fixed CO2.

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