Respiration In

Plants
Energy requirement in plants
The energy requirement for living
processes of plants is lower compared to
animals. Why?

Because plants are less active
than animals. Plants do not move
about like animal do.
The Intake Of Oxygen
By Plants For Respiration
Plants do not have specialised breathing
mechanisms for gaseous exchange.

Gaseous exchange between plants cells
and the environment occurs by diffusion
through stomata and lenticels.
stomata
lenticels
Gaseous exchange in the light
When the leaf is photosynthesising,

CO
2
concentration in the air spaces
of the spongy layer. (what will happen?)

O
2
diffuses from the atmosphere through
stomata into the leaf for cell respiration.

Gaseous exchange in the dark
Respiration alone is taking place.

< O
2
in the air spaces than atm. O
2

diffuses inward though lenticels.
Stomata are normally closed at night.

CO
2
will diffuse outwards.
Aerobic & Anaerobic Respiration
in Plants.
C
6
H
12
O
6
+ 6O
2
6CO
2
+ 6H
2
O + Energy
2880 kJ / m
C
6
H
12
O
6
2C
2
H
5
OH + 2CO
2
+ Energy
210 kJ / m
Aerobic @ Anaerobic ?
Aerobic respiration in plants
Anaerobic respiration in plants
Yeast respires anaerobically to produce alcohol
(alcoholic fermentation).
During flooding, plants can survive for several
days completely submerged in water.
Young rice plants are planted in fields that are
muddy and flooded.
During initial stages of germination, embryo is
completely enclosed within an airtight seed
coat.
Respiration & Photosynthesis
Respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis.

Compare & Contrast
Respiration & Photosynthesis
Respiration Photosynthesis
Similarities
Both take place in living cells.
Both are metabolic process.
Respiration Photosynthesis
A process of
catabolism (breaking
down of organic
materials)
A process of
anabolism
(synthesis of organic
materials)
Occurs in all living
cells
Occurs in cells
containing
chlorophyll.
Take place in the
presence / absence
of light
Takes place only in
the presence of light
Differences
Respiration Photosynthesis
Uses glucose and
oxygen
Uses carbon dioxide
and water
Produces carbon
dioxide and water
Produces glucose
and oxygen
Respiration Photosynthesis
Chemical energy is
converted into heat
and energy ATP.
Solar energy is
converted into
chemical energy
Cell loses weight Cell gains weight
CO
2
concentrations in air around plants throughout the day
CO
2

O
2

Day
O
2

CO
2

night
O
2

CO
2

All the CO
2
produced during respiration is
reused during photosynthesis
Compensation point
Light intensity
The Compensation Point

.
If the rate of photosynthesis and the rate of
respiration remained at compensation point:
The plant would not be able to store
food.

There would be no growth and
development in green plants.

No oxygen released into the
atmosphere to sustain living things.