Q. Why does the peepal tree continuously produce oxygen?
Answer: Crassulacean Acid Metabolism
Notes: Peepal tree has the capability to absorb CO² at night due to Crassulacean Acid Metabolism (CAM). It's a photosynthesis pathway primarily found in desert plants and epiphytes (those that live on larger trees). During the day, CAM plants break down the malate created at night and use the released CO² to create sugars, similar to C3 plants. But, CAM, being energy inefficient, is used only under certain conditions. It seems that peepal trees use CAM when they are epiphytic and switch to C3 photosynthesis when they settle in the soil.