Introduction to Respiration in Plants
The procedure of respiration in plants includes the use of sugars formed during the process of photosynthesis + oxygen to create energy for the plant’s growth. In several ways, respiration is the reverse process of photosynthesis. In our environment, the plants prepare their own food for their survival with the use of carbon dioxide, i.e., CO2 from the atmosphere, to make sugars and oxygen, i.e., O2, which can be used as a source of energy. Furthermore, the process of photosynthesis takes place only in the leaves and stems of the plant. However, respiration takes place in the leaves, stems, and roots of a plant.
Definition of Respiration in Plants
Plants, like other animals, respire too as they also need energy, but the methods and procedures are different from animals or human beings. However, the plants acquire energy by the process of respiration in which the breakdown of glucose food takes place in the presence of oxygen that results in the formation of CO2 and water H2O (water) with the discharge of energy. In addition, this energy is utilised by the plants to carry out several life processes. Thus, like other living organisms, plants also respire for their survival and other needs. Each part of the plant can self-sufficiently take in the oxygen from the air and utilise it to obtain energy and release CO2.
When Do Plants Respire?
The process of respiration occurs in plants all day and night, and carbon dioxide is produced through this process. However, in the daytime, carbon dioxide gets released in about negligible amounts compared to the amount of oxygen formed due to photosynthesis. Therefore, a person should avoid sleeping under any tree during the nighttime.
What Role Does Air Temperature Have in the Respiration Process of Plants?
Usually, plants respire 24 hours every day, but at night, the process of respiration is more obvious since the process of photosynthesis stops. During the nighttime, the temperature must be cool compared to the daytime because, in this case, plants can experience stress as they are taking oxygen from the environment and releasing carbon dioxide. Just relate this scenario with an athlete in a marathon where the athlete respires at higher rates than a normal person standing straight; therefore, the rate of respiration of the athlete is higher because of the rise in temperature of the body. The same rule goes with plants. As the temperature increases, the respiration rate upsurges, and consequently, the temperature rises. But, this can damage the flower and lead to poor growth of the plant.
Respiration in the Leaves of a Plant
The leaves of a plant have small pores on their surface known as stomata. The interchange of the gases in the leaves takes place through stomata during the process of respiration. The oxygen from the air goes into the leaves with the help of stomata and goes to all the cells by diffusion. Moreover, this oxygen comes into use for respiration in cells of the leaves. The carbon dioxide (CO2) made during diffuses out from the leaves in the air with the help of the same stomata. The photosynthesis reaction results in the formation of glucose, and the respiration reaction break down the glucose. In the photosynthesis process, the energy going into the reaction is light energy. Whereas in the process of respiration, the energy coming out is the chemical energy.
Respiration in the Roots of a Plant
The roots of a plant are inside the ground, but the root cells need oxygen too. They need oxygen to carry out the respiration process and discharge energy for their own use. The roots of a plant get oxygen from the holes amid the soil particles. The root hairs are in contact with the air at the same time. Oxygen from the air in soil particles gets diffused into the root hairs and spread through all the cells of the root, where it is utilised for the respiration process. The carbon dioxide formed in the root cells during the process of respiration goes out with the help of the same root hairs by the process known as diffusion.
Conclusion
Respiration in plants study material concludes that both plants and animals respire and need oxygen naturally, which results in the metabolic formation of the carbon dioxide that goes back to the environment. Moreover, when these plants are buried for millions of years, they can produce fossil fuels like coal and oil.