In photosynthesis, what are the similarities and differences of a C3, C4, and a CAM plants?

Similarities - all are types of photosynthesis. All have
the same basic formula: CO2 +  H2O -> C6H12O6 + O2 in which the plant uses light
energy to convert Carbon Dioxide and Water into sugar and
oxygen.

C3 is the most common form of
photosynthesis.

Differences: In C3, the Carbon Dioxide is
initially linked into 3 Carbon compounds on the way to becoming sugars. C4 initially
creates 4 Carbon compounds, then converts them to sugar.

In
C3 the photosynthesis occurs in most of the leaf tissues. In C4 it  only occurs in
special cells around the leaf veins (this special structure is called Kranz
anatomy).

In C3 and C4 the stomata (leaf pores) are open
during the day for gas exchange, which allows water to be lost from the leaves. In CAM
plants, the stomata are closed during the day to prevent water loss (CAM plants are
typically cacti and other desert-adaptedplants). In CAM plants, CO2 is captured and
stored overnight as crassulacean acid (CAM = Crassulacean Acid Metabolism). In the
daytime the CO2 is released so photosynthesis can occur without opening the
stomata.

C4 plants have a special molecule called PEP
carboxylase which helps the plant capture CO2 more efficiently and deliver it directly
into the photosynthetic process. c4 plants are generally better able to handle low CO2
levels than C3 plants.