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Respiration In Plants: Do Plants Breathe?

August 3, 20160 Comments


All living organisms, including plants, get the energy they need to live from a chain of chemical
reactions called respiration. The process of respiration needs glucose to start the reactions which is
then converted into energy while producing carbon dioxide and water as by-products. It is important
to note here that respiration is not equal to breathing. Breathing is just a part of respiration, which
takes place in animals, but plants do not breathe. Lets have a glance of the process of respiration in
plants.
Respiration in Plants

During respiration in plants, very little transport of gases takes place from one plant part to another.
Therefore, each plant part takes care of its own energy needs, or in other words, its gas exchange
need. Roots, stems and leaves of plants exchange gases for respiration separately. We already know,
leaves of plants have tiny pores called stomata, which is used for the exchange of gases. The oxygen,
taken in through stomata is used by the cells in the leaves to break down glucose into carbon dioxide
and water.

Respiration in Plants

Similarly, roots of plants take in air from the air spaces present between the soil particles. Thus, the
oxygen absorbed through roots are used to release energy. And energy is utilised for the transport of
minerals and salts from the soil.
We are aware of the fact that plants have the unique ability to photosynthesise. Photosynthesis is the
process through which plants prepare their own food. It takes place only in the parts of plants that
contain chlorophyll, i.e. only in the green parts of the plants. The process of photosynthesis is so
prominent that it sometimes masks the process of respiration in plants. However, we must know that
respiration in plants occurs throughout the day while photosynthesis takes place only in the presence
of light. Therefore, at night the respiration in plants becomes prominent. That is why we often hear
that people are asked not to sleep under a tree at night . This may cause suffocation due to the
excessive presence of carbon dioxide released by trees as a result of respiration.
Respiration In Stems

In the case of the stem, the air gets diffused in the stomata and passes through various parts of the cell
for respiration. the carbon-dioxide that is produced during this stage also diffuses through the stomata.
Suppose if stems are woody gaseous exchange is carried out by lenticels.
Respiration In Leaves

Leaves comprise of tiny pores referred as stomata. The exchange of gases takes place via stomata
through the process of diffusion. Each stoma is controlled by Guard Cells. The open gaseous
exchange takes place between Atmosphere and Interior of Leaves.

Differences between Respiration and Photosynthesis

Photosynthesis Respiration

Photosynthesis occurs only in chlorophyll-containing Respiration occurs in all animal and plant cell.
cells of plants.

It Synthesizes foods It Oxidizes foods

It Stores energy It release energy

Photosynthesis is an anabolic process Respiration is a catabolic process

It requires cytochrome It Also require cytochrome

It is an endothermal process It is an exothermal process


It is comprised of products like sugar, oxygen and water It is comprised of products like hydrogen and carbon-
as products. dioxide.

During this process radiant energy is converted into During this process potential energy is converted into
potential energy. kinetic energy.

It takes place only in the presence of light.. It place continually both in light and in the dark

Types of Respiration

There are two types of respiration. They are stated below.

Anaerobic Respiration: This type of respiration is found in prokaryotic organisms like bacteria
and yeast Partial oxidation of food takes place in this types of respiration and energy is released in
the absence of oxygen. Carbon dioxide and Ethyl alcohol are formed in this process.
Aerobic Respiration: The food substances are completely oxidized into water and carbon-
dioxide in aerobic respiration with the release of energy. All higher organisms respire aerobically.
It requires atmospheric oxygen.
In this article we will discuss about the process of respiration
in plants.
In respiration carbohydrate is broken down, as a result the potential
energy is transformed into kinetic form. Though it is a destructive or
katabolic process, yet respiration is extremely beneficial, because it
releases the necessary energy for performing the life functions.

Plants take in free oxygen from the air which enters through the stomata
and lenticels and diffuses through the continuous intercellular space
system to reach the living cells. It oxidises sugar, particularly glucose,
into carbon dioxide and water vapour, thereby liberating considerable
energy.

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The reaction may be represented thus:


C6H12O6 + 6O6 = 6CO2 + 6H2O + energy (674 cal.)
Though sugar is the main oxidisable material used during the process,
other materials and in extreme cases, even protoplasm may be broken
down for the liberation of energy. Carbon dioxide and water vapour go
out through the stomata and lenticels.

At night when stomata remain closed gaseous exchange takes place


through the lenticels. Thus respiration is essentially a process of
biological oxidation in which oxygen absorbed from the air breaks down
the food (sugar) into carbon dioxide and water, thereby releasing the
stored energy.

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It should be noted that respiration is not mechanical breathing involving


simple inhalation of oxygen and exhalation of carbon dioxide, but a
chemical process meant for the liberation of energy for the maintenance
of life.

Respiration goes on day and night in all the living cells irrespective of
their position in the plant organs; but the rate is vigorous in growing
regions like root-tip, stem-tip, flower-buds and germinating seeds.
During, day time when the rate of photosynthesis is higher than the rate
of respiration and when both the processes are going on simultaneously,
all the oxygen liberated in photosynthesis is not consumed in
respiration, whereas all the CO2 liberated in respiration is completely
consumed in photosynthesis and some more CO2 must enter the plant
for the higher rate of photosynthesis.
As a result, during day time, the exchange of gases between the plant and
the atmosphere is that O2 is liberated and CO2 is consumed. Thus the
effects of respiration are completely masked during day time. During
night, however, there is undoubtedly no photosynthesis, and only
exchange of gases between the plant and the atmosphere is the effect of
the process of respirationO2 consumed and CO2 liberated.
Aerobic and Anaerobic Respiration:
So long there is a normal supply of oxygen, respiration goes on
uninterruptedly in all the living cells giving out water and carbon dioxide
as end products. This is normal or aerobic respiration. If the supply of
oxygen is cut off, plants would ultimately perish by suffocation, though
death does not come immediately. Respiration continues for a short
period. This is anaerobic or intra-molecular respiration.

Anaerobic respiration can only continue for a short time in higher plants.
Ultimately the plants die, if they are deprived of CO2 for longer time, as
the energy released in the process is not sufficient for the continuance of
the life processes for considerable length of time.
Moreover, the accumulation of alcohol, one of the end products of the
process, might reach toxic concentration causing permanent harm to the
tissues.

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Anaerobic respiration ceases when the concentration of alcohol


produced reaches about 15%. There is really a close similarity between
aerobic and anaerobic types of respiration. It is known for certain now
that in plants during first stage of respiration, either aerobic or
anaerobic, no oxygen is needed.

Zymase, the enzyme (organic catalyst secreted by living cells) extracted


from yeast and which has also been found in all other green plants, is the
agent responsible for the first part of respirationwhich is known as
anaerobic cleavage or breakdown. The sugars like glucose are converted
by zymase into some other intermediate products.

In presence of oxygen, i.e. in aerobic respiration, these intermediate


products are further broken down and completely oxidised into CO2and
H2O; whereas in absence of oxygen, i.e. in anaerobic respiration, the
intermediate products, under further action of zymase, are converted
into C2H6OH (alcohol) and carbon dioxide, according to the following
scheme:

The amount of energy released in anaerobic respiration is much less in


comparison to that liberated during aerobic process.

Here is an experiment to demonstrate anaerobic respiration:


A test-tube is filled with mercury. A few properly soaked seeds axe taken
and after removing the seed- coats they are introduced one by one with
the help of a bent forceps in the test-tube.

The seed-coats are removed in order to facilitate the exchange of gases.


The test-tube is placed in position with the help of clamp. After a day it is
noticed that mercury column has come down and the closed end of the
tube is filled with a gas.

Now a bit of caustie potash is introduced in the same manner which


absorbs the gas and mercury column again rises to fill up the tube, thus
proving that the gas evolved is carbon dioxide.
Respiration in plants
All living things get the energy they need to live from a chemical reaction called respiration. This
process needs glucose as a starting point. First we'll see how respiration works, and then look at
how plants use respiration in combination with photosynthesis.

Respiration
Living cells respire. Aerobic respiration is the chemical reaction used to release energy from
glucose. It is called aerobic because oxygen from the air is also needed.

Here is the word equation for aerobic respiration. Energy is put in brackets because it not a
substance:
glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water (+ energy)

Notice that the word equation for respiration is the reverse of the word equation for
photosynthesis. Check back if you are not sure of this.

Plants
Plant cells respire, just as animal cells do. If they stop respiring, they will die. Remember that
respiration is not the same as breathing, so take care - plants do not breathe.
As we can see from the word equations respiration and photosynthesis are opposites. Respiration
uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. Photosynthesis uses carbon dioxide and produces
oxygen.
So what happens to a plant overall? This depends on whether it is in the dark or the light, and how
bright the light is.

Plants respire all the time, whether it is dark or light. They photosynthesise only when they are in
the light.

Conditions Photosynthesis v Overall result


respiration

Dark Respiration Oxygen taken in


No photosynthesis Carbon dioxide given out

Dim light Photosynthesis rate equals Neither gas is taken in or given


respiration rate out, as each cancels the other
out

Bright light Photosynthesis rate greater Carbon dioxide taken in


than respiration rate Oxygen given out

Photosynthesis usually results in a net food gain (net glucose gain), once respiration has been
accounted for. This means that there is an increase in the biomass of the plant.

Plants that lose their leaves in winter store food produced during the summer by photosynthesis.
They store enough food to last them over winter, and to provide energy reserves for new growth
in the spring.
Plants make their own food by photosynthesis. But they also use aerobic respiration to release energy from it.

Now just a quick test for you. Respiration is the process of releasing energy from food molecules, like glucose.

Drag and drop the boxes to complete the equation:

How does oxygen get in?

Animals breathe, plants don't. So how can the plant get oxygen?

Oxygen from the air is able to diffuse into the leaves of plants through tiny air-holes called stomata. This is obvious
in plants as they take in oxygen at night-time and give out the carbon dioxide produced by respiration.

But what happens during daytime, when photosynthesis is also happening?

Respiration and photosynthesis

Look back at the equation for respiration. How does it compare with the formula for photosynthesis?

Aerobic respiration occurs in the opposite direction as photosynthesis. So in plants, photosynthesis is building up
sugars at the same time as respiration is using them up.

During the daytime photosynthesis occurs more quickly than does respiration. However, during the night
photosynthesis stops and respiration carries on.

Therefore during the day, plant cells can use some of the oxygen produced by photosynthesis for respiration.

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