Respiration in Plants
step, but in a series of chemical steps. These
In the Chapter
Syllabus : Respiration in plants : outline of the
process, gaseous exchange.
A brief outline of the process mentioning the terms
Glycolysis and Krebs cycle and their significance. A
reference to be made to aerobic and anaerobic
respiration with chemical equations in each case.
Experiments on gaseous exchange and on heat
production.
Like all other organisms, plants too require
energy for carrying out bodily activities. In this
chapter, you will learn about the two kinds of
respiration (aerobic and anaerobic), the manner in
which diffusion of respiratory gases occurs, as well
as a number of interesting experim ents to
demonstrate respiration in plants.
7.1 WHAT IS RESPIRATION?
All living cells in a plant, as well as those in
animals, require energy for various activities of the
body. For example, building up proteins from amino
acids, making starch from glucose, absorbing
minerals from the soil, or laying down cell walls by
plant cells, are all such activities that require energy.
This energy is made available by the breakdown of
glucose, a simple carbohydrate. The chemical
breakdown of glucose occurs by utilizing oxygen
and is represented by the following overall reaction:
CH,0, +60, enzyme, 6CO, +6H,0 +energy
There are three imnportant characteristics of
respiration in this equation.
1. The breakdown of glucose (C,H,,0) to carbon
dioxide and water does not occur in a single
Respiration in Plants
steps occur in two major phases- () glycolysis
(glucose ’ pyruvate) occurring in cytoplasm
and (ii) Krebs cycle (pyruvate -’ CO, + 6H,0 +
ATP) occurring in mitochondria.
2. Each breakdown step is due to a particular
enzyme.
3. The energy liberated in the breakdown of the
glucose molecule is not all in the form of heat,
but a large part of it is converted into chemical
energy in the form of ATP a chemical
substance called adenosine triphosphate.
When energy in the form of ATP is used,
the ATP is converted to ADP (adenosine
diphosphate) and again when more energy is
available by further breakdown of glucose, the ADP
is reconverted to ATP and so it goes on and on
(Fig. 7.1). One mole of glucose on complete
oxidation yields 38 molecules of ATP.
BREAKDOWN OF FOOD (GLUCOSE) IN RESPIRATION
co,
ENERGY H,0
HEAT
PHOSPHATE
ADP ATP
PHOSPHATE
ENERGY USED IN WORK
Fig. 7.1 Diagrammatic representation toshow the use
of energy liberated in respiration
55
 ATP - The energy currency of the cell Ploughing or tilling of the soil creates tin
All activities inside a living cell need energy which spaces around soil particles and provides
the
is available in the form of ATP as the immediate
source. Hence, this chemical compound ATP is
of oxygen for the roots. Water-logged
and
soil does not have air spaces which affect
soute
described as the "energy currency of the cell.
Living organisms show two types of metabolic
of the roots. During daytime, due to
the leaves produce oxygen, some of photorsyntewhispirhacteshion
activities : used in respiration and the rest is diffused
The carbon dioxide produced
(1) anabolic (constructive or biosynthetic processes), in the leaves serves as a raw material
during respiraticn
it consumes energy. photosynthesis.
(ii) catabolic (destructive or breaking down At night, even the leaves
it gives out energy for use by the processes), obtain oxygen from the
organism. atmosphere and give out carbon dioxide.
Respiration is a breaking down process by which we should avoid sleeping under a tree Hence
a living cell oxidises organic night. However, sleeping under a tree during
and releases carbon dioxide, water substances (glucose)
and energy. hot mid-day is definitely good as one gets both
Respiration is a catabolic process of releasing energy oxygen due to photosynthesis and coolness due to
from glucose for carrying out life transpiration.
processes.
7.2RESPIRATION vs. BURNING
(Combustion) Progress Check
Sometimes, respiration is
compared with 1. Write the
burning such as the burning of coal. Both liberate important aspects about the overall
energy, and both give the end products CO, and chemical equation of respiration, pertaining to
the following :
water. But this comparison is only superficial. The () number of steps for glucose to
differences between the two are as follows : into CO, and H,0. break down
(i) involvement of
Respiration Burning/Combustion (ii) forms of energyenzymes.
2. List three ways in liberated.
1. Cellular process Non-cellular process from burning. which respiration is different
2. Occurs at body Occurs at high temperature 3. Name the three
temperature (at ignition point) in plants. inlets of oxygen for respiration
3. Occurs in a series Occurs in a single step
of chemical steps 7.4 TW0 KINDS OF
4.Carried out by enzymes Carried out by heat
5. Biochemical process Physico-chemical process A. Aerobic Respiration
RESPIRATION
AEROBIC AND ANAEROBIC
6. Energy is liberated as All the energy is liberated as
heat and light.
thereNormally,
ATP and some heat
free
7. No light energy is Light energy is produced is complete oxygen is used in respiration and
produced
formation of carbon oxidation of glucose with the
7.3 THE ENTIRE PLANT
RESPIRES products. This is clearlydioxide and bywater as end
Every part of a plant such as the leaves, stem, chemical
steps in theequation
represented
(however, there
the following
are
roots. and even the deepest cell placed in any region
entire
process) : numerous
Oxygen in plants is obtained from the
c,H,0,+ 60, enzyme ’ 6CO, +
respires. inlets: 6H,0 +38 ATP
atmosphere through three
stomata in leaves lenticels in stemn
the roots
Respi rati
ofon proceeds
constituent air) is only when
(energy/heat)
> general
surface of oxygen
aerobic (or oxybiotic)available and is therefore
(a
respiration. called
56
B. Anaerobic Respiration 7.5 EXPERIMENTS ON RESPIRATION IN
Sometimes, certain parts of the plants (including PLANTS
fruitsand seeds) may temporarily respire even in the
absence of oxygen. In this type of respiration, the 1. Experiment to prove that oxygen is used up
in respiration (Fig. 7.2).
glucose molecule is incompletely broken down into
ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and carbon dioxide with An apparatus is arranged as shown in Fig. 7.2.
he release of a small quantity of energy. This Flask (A) contains germinating bean seeds and flask
hemical reaction can be represented in the (B) has dead (boiled) seeds together with some
following manner: antiseptic (such as carbolic acid) to avoid bacterial
C,H,0, ’ 2C,H_OH +2cO, +2ATP decay. Wet cotton provides water to both samples.
Glucose Ethanol A small tube containing soda lime (a mixture of
This type of respiration is called anaerobic (or sodium hydroxide and calcium oxide) is suspended
in each flask for absorbing any carbon dioxide
anoxybiotic) respiration as it proceeds even released by the seeds. After a few days, the delivery
without oxygen. Anaerobic respiration in any part tube connected with flask (A) will show a greater
of a plant cannot continue for more than a few davs
rise in water level. When a burning paper is
and the part ultimately dies. But there are certain introduced into each flask after removing their
microscopic organisms such as certain bacteria and corks, the flame is immediately put off in flask (A),
fungi which normally respire only anaerobically. but it continues for a short while in flask (B). This
Even the germinating seeds when deprived of air proves that oxygen was absent in flask (A) thereby
respire anaerobically (described in Experiment showing that it was used up by the germinating
No. 5 Fig 7.7). seeds and the volume of oxygen so used up was
Table 7.1 Major differences between aerobic and indicated by the rise of water level in the delivery
anaerobic respiration in plants tube. There are two simple questions which you can
Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration surely answer. Why is there a slight increase in the
1. Proceeds in the presence Proceeds without using level of water in the delivery tube of flask (B)?
of oxygen. OXygen. Which of the two flasks, (A) or (B), is a control?
2. Complete breakdownof Incomplete breakdown of FLASK B
FLASK A
glucose. glucose.
3. End-products are carbon End-products are ethyl
dioxide and water. alcohol and carbon dioxide.
gT) SODA SODA
4. Energy liberated in large Energy liberated in LIME LIME
quantity (38 ATP) from small quantity (2 ATP) from DEAD
BEANS
one mole of glucose. one mole of glucose.
GERMINATING
5. Occurs normally Occurs temporarily for BEANS
throughout life. short periods. WET COTTON WOOL WET COTTON WOOL
AND ANTISEPTIC

Progress Check
1. Give the overall chemical equation for the
two kinds of respiration in plants :
(i) Aerobic (ii) Anaerobic
2. Mention any one difference other than those
reflected in the two chemical equations
given above.
3. Certain organisms respire only anaerobically Fig. 7.2 Experiment to show the utilisation
throughout their lives. Name any two such of oxygen in respiration.
organisms.

Respiration in Plants
 as pea or bean) are placed in flask (A) and an
A Proper Experiment Must Have number of boiled (dead) seeds are placed in equal
Two Components : (B) (Fig. 7.3). flask
EXPERIMENTAL and CONTROL SET-UPS Alittle antiseptic (such as carbolic acid) is added
An experiment consists of two set-ups - an to flask (B) to prevent bacterial growth on dead
experimental set-up and a control set-up. Both seeds, which would otherwise respire and release
are identical in which every condition is the same
carbon dioxide. The flasks are securely corked and
except one. The set-up in which the condition under left in similar conditions of light and temperature.
study is missing is called the control. A
few days later, the seeds in flask (A) willbe found
2. Experiment to prove that carbon dioxide is to have clearly germinated and those in flask (B
produced during respiration in germinating show no signs of any germination (as they are dead)
seeds (Fig. 7.3). The gases in each flask are then tested by removing
Take two flasks A and B. Place some wet cotton the cork and tilting the flask over a test tube
wool at the bottom of each flask. Soaked seeds (such containing limewater (a dilute aqueous solution of
calcium hydroxide) and then shaking up the test
tube. The expected gas carbon dioxide being heavier
than air would "flow down' into the test tube. The
gas from flask (A) would turn the lime-water milky.
SOAKED
BEANS
showing the presence of carbon dioxide in it, while
BOILED
the gas in flask (B) will show no effect. Therefore,
BEANS the conclusion is that the germinating (respiring)
A seeds give out carbon dixoide.
WET COTTON WOOL
An alternative meth od for the same
experiment
A similar more directly observable
to show that carbon dioxide is experiment
TESTING FOR CO, produced during
respiration in germinating seeds (pea or gram seeds)
is arranged as shown in Fig. 7.4. The
conical flask A is cleared of any CO, air drawn in
LIMEWATER The clear limewater in flask B present in it
Fig. 7.3 Experiment to show the production of
confirms that the air
entering flask C is CO, free. The limewater in
carbon dioxide in germinating seeds. Dturning milky proves flask
that
only the germinating seeds. the source of CO, was
AIR

TO AIR
B
SUCTION
TWO-HOLE BENT PUMP
RUBBER GLASS
STOPPER CTUBES
LIMEWATER
TURNS MILKY

KOH SOLUTION
LIMEWATER
(Dissolves any CO, present in air)
Fig. 7.4 To show
that carbon dioxide is GERMINATING SEEDS
given out during
respiration of germinating seeds.
58
 Experiment to prove that carbon dioxide
3. produced by green plants during respiration
is THERMOMETER
(Fig. 7.5).
ass shown in Fig. 7.5 using
Set up an apparatus
potted plant such as Geranium, The bell jar
asmallbe WET COTTONWOOL
should placed on a glass
sheet and its rim as well ANTSEPTIC
allother connections
shouldl be vaselined to make
as aair is drawn into the
them air--tight. The outside SEEDS
GERVNATING
apparatus withthe help of an air pump. This air SEEDS
WITH
DEAD
which absorbs
passes through the soda limeincoming air, and anythe
carbon dioxide present in the
limewater (Flask A) through which it passes will not
turn milky. As the air leaves the bell jar, and passes
through another sample of limewater (Flask B), the
carbon dioxide present in it would turn the
limewater milky. It is necessary that this experiment
is carried out in the dark, or the bell jar is
completely covered by a piece of black cloth to A B
prevent photosynthesis (so that the carbon dioxide (Experiment) (Control)
liberated in respiration is not used up in the Fig. 7.6 Experiment to show liberation of
synthesis of starch). heat during germination.

AIR flask (A) and the killed ones in flask (B). Insert a
thermometer in each flask and plug their mouths
-AIR
CO, FREE
AIR
AIR
with cotton wool. After a few hours, the
SUCTION thermometer in flask A will show a higher reading,
PUMP
thus indicating that the germinating (live and
respiring) seeds give out heat. The thermometer in
SODA
FLASK FLASK flask (B) will not show any rise in temnperature.
LIME B
A 5. Experiment to demonstrate anaerobic
respiration (Fig. 7.7).
Take eight to ten soaked and peeled pea seeds
LIMEWATER LIMEWATER
in a test tube. Fill the test tube with mercury and
(Clear) (Turns milky) invert the test tube in a beaker filled with mercury.
Fig. 7.5 Experiment to show that carbon dioxide The seeds will be completely surrounded by
is given out by a green plant during respiration. mercury. After about two days, the level of mercury
4. Experiment to show that heat is evolved in the test tube will fall (Fig. 7.7) and the liberated
gas will be found to be carbon dioxide. Carbon
during respiration (Fig. 7.6). dioxide can be tested by introducing a stick of
Take two thermoflasks and mark them (A) and
potassium hydroxide into the test tube, which will
B). Take about 30 g of pea or bean seeds and soak float up through mercury and on coming into
them in water for more than 24 hours. contact with the gas, will absorb the carbon dioxide
Divide the seeds into two equal groups. Kill one and the level of mercury will again rise. A similar
group of seeds by boiling them, and then wash them control experiment could be set up in which the
With dilute formalin or carbolic acid to prevent seeds may be kept after killing them by heating and
Dacterial decay. Put the live germinating seeds in sterilizing them with some antiseptic. No gas will be
59
Respiration in Plants
 Respiration -the opposite of photosynthesi
In the differences mentioned in Table 7.2 below,
GERMINATING there are at least five pointsin which photosynthes
SEEDS and respiration are exactly opposite to each other,
these points?
Can you makeout
Table 7.2 Photosynthesis and
MERCURY Respiration Contrasted
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESPIRATION

Occurs in all living celks.

1. Occurs only in the
presence of chlorophyll.
Occurs at all times.
AFTER 2. Occurs only in the
2-3 DAYS presence of light.
3. Uses carbon dioxide Uses oxygen and
Fig. 7.7 Experiment to demonstrate anaerobic respiration. and water. glucose.
Carbon dioxide is
4. Oxygen is released
liberated in the control. [Note : Peeling off the seed as an end product. released as end product.
coat of the germinating seeds before introducing Chemical energy is partly
them into the test-tube may hasten the outward 5. Light energy is
converted into converted into heat and
diffusion of CoJ chemical energy which partly into useful energy
is stored. for various actívities.
6. Results in gain in weight. Results in loss in weight.
Progress Check 7. Food (glucose) is Food (glucose) is broken
1. In experiments on respiration, the seeds taken manufactured. down oxidised.
as control are boiled. Why ? (Constructive or (Destructíve or
2. What is the use of the following in the anabolic process )
experiments on respiration ? catabolic process)
(i) Soda lime (i) Limewater
3. Suppose we conduct an experiment to 7.7 RESPIRATION IN PLANTS COMPARED
demonstrate respiration in agreen plarnt. What WITH
special precaution is required to be taken in RESPIRATION IN ANIMALS
it ? The basic aspects of
respiration are
4. In experiment no. 5, we are using mercury in
the test tube and the beaker. Why can't we organisms, However, there are some same in all
use water instead ? in respiration
between plants and differences
example : animals. For
7.6 RESPIRATION CONTRASTED WITH (i) In plants there is
PHOTOSYNTHESIS no
gaseous transport, the
photosynthesis respiratory
cell to cell gases simplydiffuse in and out by
In many respects, respiration andprocesses. The diffusion. In animals, the blood
in plants are distinctly opposite
requirements of one are the products of
the other transports respiratory gases.
(ii) One of the
to each other. end
and therefore, they are complementary
cannot conduct an in plantsproducts
respiration is
of
anaerobiC
This is the reason why we
experiment on plant
respiration during daytime, in
fundamental differences between plant
while in
(iii) In plantsanimals
the process
it is ethanol/ethyl
lactic acid. alcohol
light. The are given in compared to animals. produces little
respiration and photosynthesis heat as
Table 7.2.

60
 Why one should not sleep under a tree at night
Progress Check CO, orsomething else ?
1 Fill in the blanks : The carbon dioxide released by trees during
In anaerobic respiration in plants, the end respiration at night is too little to cause any harm
product is and (we have much more of this gas in our bedrooms).
instead of in animals.
o The table below is intended to give certain
However, the droppings of the perching birds and
differences between photosynthesis and the night-active insects,spiders, snakes, etc., are real
respiration, but a few points are given wrongly. dangers. But believe it, there are no ghosts or spirits
Strike out the wrong ones and write the resting on the trees!
correct words instead.
PHOTOSYNTHESIS RESPIRATION
0 Results in loss Results in gain
in weight in weight
() Sucrose is the Sucrose is
product broken down
(0) Occurs in green Occurs in all
cells only cells
(iv) Uses water and Uses glucose and
Oxygen OXygen

POINTS TO REMEMBER
ºRespiration is the breakdown of glucose to yield energy in the form of ATP.
The breakdown of glucose occurs in twO major phases : glycolysis and Krebs cycle.
Respiration ocCurs in a series of steps carried out by enzymes.
7 The plants have three inlets for oxygen from the atmosphere - stomata in leaves, lenticels in stem and the general surface
of the root.

7There are two kinds of respiration - aerobic (using oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy) and anaerobic
(without using oxygen, releasing ethanol, carbon dioxide and energy).
r Aerobic respiration occurs normally thoughout life, whereas anaerobic respiration occurs temporarily for short periods.
lIn plants, respiration is opposite to photosynthesis with respect to several features, e.g. gases used and released, gain or
loss in weight, etc.

Review Questions

A. MULTIPLE CHOICE TYPE (c) Lenticels and sepals

1. Glycolysis is a process (d) Lenticels and hydathodes
(a) in which glycogen is broken down into glucose 3. Anaerobic respiration normally occurs in
(b) which occurs in mitochondria (a) Grass (b) Cactus
(c) in which glucose is broken down into pyruvate (c) Coconut (d) Baker's yeast
(d) that occurs next to Krebs cycle. B. VERY SHORT ANSWER TYPE
2. In plants, acommon function is performed by ? 1. Do the plants respire all day and all night or only at
(a) Stonmata and veins night ?
(b) Stomata and lenticels 2. Name the following :
61
Respiration in Plants
 (a) Energy currency of cell. 2. Howare aerobic and anaerobic respirations
(b) Oxidative breakdown of
release energy.
carbohydrates to in plants ?
3. Describe one experiment each you would
dif erent
(c) An organism which respires throughout life to demonstrate the following
phenomena : pertorm
anaerobically. germinating seeds (a) produce heat, (b) give The
(d) A common phase in both aerobic and carbon dioxide, (c) can respire even in total out
anaerobic respiration. of air. absence
(e) Aerobic 4. How do the following structures help in
respiration requires
(f) A chemical which removes CO, in plants? respiration
from the air. (a) Lenticels
3. Mention if the following
If false, rewrite them statements are true or false. (b) Stomata.
correctly.
(a) Aerobic respiration of one mole of (c) Root hairs
yields 138 ATP glucose
(T/F) E. STRUCTURED/APPLICATION/SKILL TYPE
(b) Anaerobic respiration in plants
acid.
yields lactic 1. The following two chemical reactions are supposed
(T/F) to indicate a certain process occurring in the green
(c) Carbon dioxide readily
water.
dissolves in lime plants under two different conditions :
(T/F)
(d) All leaves of a green plant (a) C H,,O, +60,’ 6CO, t...+38 ATP
anaerobically at night.
normally respire (b) C,H,0,’
(T/F) +2C0, + 2ATP
C. SHORT ANSWER TYPE (i) Fill in the blanks of each
reaction.
1. What happens to the energy liberated in (ii) Name the process
respiration? represented by the two
2. Why is it usually difficult to
demonstrate respiration chemical equations.
in green plants? (iii) What are the
conditions under which the
3. Explain why respiration is said to be the reverse of two reactions (a) and (b) are
photosynthesis. 2. The following occurring ?
is used to diagram refers to an apparatus which
4. How is the tilling of the soil useful for the crops
growing in it?
demonstrate a
(a) What is the physiological
process :
5. Write the full form of ATP and ADP.
purpose of keeping potassium
hydroxide solution in the test tubes X
6. Can cell respiration occur in any organism at a
and Y?
temperature of about 65°C? Give reason.
7. Fill in the blanks :
GERMINATING
PEAS (SUP
PORTED ON
(a) are the openings found on older stems. WIRE MESH)
(b) Glycolysis occurs in the ..... of the cells, TUBING
1 TUBING
2 BOILED PEAS
(c) is a respiratory substance. SOAKED IN
DISINFECTANT
(d) Rate of....... is more than the rate of......
in the daytime in the case of green plants.
is a chemical which absorbs oxygen
TEST-TUBE-X
(e) TEST
of the air. TUBE Y
is used to create vacuum to show POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE
(f) anaerobic respiration.
SOLUTION (Experiment) POTASSIUM
HYDROXIDE
ANSWER TYPE
(Control) SOLUTION
D. LONG respiration and
is respiration ? How are different?
1. What how are they
burning similar and
COLOURED
WATER
 Why has the coloured water risen in 4. In order to study and prove a particular physiological
(b)) tubing 1 process in plants, the following experiment was set
up, Study the same and then answer the questions
A What is the purpose of keeping boiled peas that follow:
Noaked ina disinfectant in test tube Y?
a) Name the biological process which causes the
above rise,

(e) Deine the biological process shown in the

experiment.
Given below is a set of six experimental set-ups
(A-F), keptin this state for about 24 hours.
(a) In how many flasks, the different plant parts SODA LIME LIMEWATER GERMINAT LIMEWATER
have been kept under observation? ING SEEDS
(b) What is the purpose of keeping a test-tube (a) Name the physiological process being
containing limewater in cach flask? studied.
(e) In which tube/tubes the limewater will turn
(b) What is the function of soda lime in the
milky? bottle 'A' and why is limewater placed in bottle
(d) What is the purpose of the set-up F? 'B?
(e) What conclusion can you draw from this (c) What change would you expect to observe in
experiment? bottle D?

STOPPER STOPPER
THREAD
THREAD THREAD

CONICAL FLASK
CONICAL FLASK

TEST-TUBE
TEST-TUBE TEST-TUBE
FLOWERS ,LIMEWATER LIMEWATER
LIMEWATER
FRUITS
LEAVES

A B C
STOPPER STOPPER
THREAD THREAD THREAD

CONICAL FLASK
CONICAL FLASK

TEST-TUBE
TEST-TUBE
PIECES OF TEST-TUBE NO PLANT
STEM PART IS PUT
-LIMEWATER IN HERE LIME-WATER

ROOTS LIME
WATER

E F
D

63
Resplration in Plants
 64

(e) (d)
cloth. C In (a)
Represent
shouldorderabove
Why?
Animals
Humans & to in
obtain
be the the
Flowers,
Fruits Do physiological
covered
humans form
And accurate
of
with a
and chemical
results,
a process
animals piece
equation.
the named
of
help bottle
black
in in
Fruits : Seed
Flowers
Dispersal (f)
flavour
Selfish FleshyTasty
produce
"Plants Fragrance
" <Selfish
(honey)
Nectar "Colour
"Plants" :
the in If
observe?
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gain" food) interest"
produce such bottle
pul(aps and germinating aand
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with
the of
flowers Pollination
way C'
plants plants awas
thermometer
introduced
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with fitted
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attracted
andare and nectaroninsects
attract
and To
- animals seeds, its
Seed Pollination birds
? bulb with
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feed what were a
reaches 3-holed
eat
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you
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