Which type of plant is most likely to perform CAM photosynthesis?

Plants that perform Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM) photosynthesis, like cacti, have adapted to arid environments by minimizing water loss while still allowing for carbon fixation. In CAM photosynthesis, these plants open their stomata at night instead of during the day to take in carbon dioxide. This adaptation helps reduce water loss because cooler nighttime temperatures slow evaporation.

Cacti, specifically, are well-suited to this process because they thrive in environments where water is scarce. They store the carbon dioxide they take in at night as a four-carbon acid, which is then converted back to carbon dioxide during the day when the stomata are closed. This allows them to continue the process of photosynthesis even when the conditions are extremely dry and hot.

Other plants such as ferns and maple trees typically use the more common C3 photosynthesis pathway, and roses are usually C3 or C4 depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. These methods do not provide the same water-saving advantages as CAM photosynthesis, especially for plants living in desert-like conditions. Thus, the answer is logical and based on the physiological adaptations unique to cacti.