In this review article, we first summarize the basic differences in photosynthetic reactions in C3, C4, and CAM plants. Second, we show a typical, classic temperature acclimation response of photosynthesis with the proposed mechanisms underlying it. It is now possible to analyze what process limits photosynthesis at various environmental conditions, based on well-tested models of photosynthesis (Farquhar et al. 1980; von Caemmerer 2000). Moreover, developments of molecular biology and transgenic technology have provided a set of powerful tools to identify and then modify the limitations imposed on photosynthesis by the environment. Thus, we then consider the underlying physiological and biochemical mechanisms for temperature acclimation of photosynthesis and discuss what process would be the limiting step of photosynthetic rate at various temperatures. Less research on photosynthetic temperature responses has been done on CAM plants than C3 and C4 plants and differences in the temperature response of photosynthesis between day and night have not been clarified in CAM plants with diurnal photosynthetic patterns, although day and night temperatures vary considerably in deserts where many CAM plants are found. We therefore discuss the differences in temperature responses of CO2 fixation rates at night and chloroplast electron transport rates in the day in two CAM species grown at two different temperature regimes. Finally, we evaluate the extent of photosynthetic temperature acclimation in higher plants from the pool of published data, and describe which plant types (i.e., photosynthetic types and functional types) have the greatest inherent ability for photosynthetic acclimation to temperature.