Is heat evolved during respiration in plants ?
Respiration is a catabolic process of releasing energy from a simple sugar—glucose—for carrying out various life processes.
C6H12O6 + 6O2 → 6CO2 + 6H2O + ATP
Characteristics of Respiration
- The breakdown of glucose to carbon dioxide and water does not occur in a single step. It involves a series of chemical reactions—glycolysis, Krebs cycle and electron transport.
- Each breakdown step is carried out by a specific enzyme.
- A small amount of energy liberated in the breakdown of the glucose molecule is released as heat energy. But a major part of it is converted into chemical energy in the form of Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP).
- Also Read The Respiratory System
Kinds of Respiration
Aerobic Respiration: The breakdown of glucose in the presence of oxygen is called aerobic respiration. Most of the animals, human beings, several bacteria and fungi are aerobic in nature.
Anaerobic Respiration: The breakdown of glucose in the absence of oxygen is called anaerobic respiration. Unicellular organisms such as yeast and some bacteria are examples of anaerobes.
Fermentation: The breakdown of pyruvic acid to ethanol and carbon dioxide in the absence of oxygen is called fermentation. Certain microorganisms or their enzymes carry out fermentation.
Differences between Respiration and Combustion
| RESPIRATION | COMBUSTION |
|---|---|
| It occurs in a series of chemical steps. | It occurs in a single step |
| It is carried out by enzymes. | It is carried out by heat. |
| It is a biochemical process. | It is a physicochemical process. |
| Energy is liberated in the form of ATP and some heat. | Energy is liberated in the form of heat and light. |
| No light energy is produced. | Light energy is produced. |
| It is a cellular process. | It is a non-cellular process. |
| It occurs at body temperature. | It occurs at high temperature (at ignition point). |
| No supply of heat energy is required. | Supply of heat energy is required. |
| The organic compound is oxidised to carbon dioxide and water. | The organic compound initially chars and later burns, producing a flame. |
| The energy is released in a step-wise manner. | The energy is released at once. |
| It involves the formation of several intermediates. | It does not involve the formation of any intermediates. |
| It requires the presence of water. | It does not require the presence of water. |
| It requires the presence of catalyst. | It does not require any biological catalysts. |
| It is a slow process. | It is a fast process. |
| It is a continuous process. | It is not a continuous process. |
Respiration in plants takes place through
- Stomata in leaves
- Lenticels in stem
- General surface of roots
Aerobic and Anaerobic respiration in plants
| AEROBIC RESPIRATION | ANAEROBIC RESPIRATION |
|---|---|
| It is also called oxybiotic respiration. | It is also called anoxybiotic respiration. |
| It proceeds in the presence of oxygen. | It proceeds in the absence of oxygen. |
| It occurs in mitochondria. | It occurs in cytoplasm. |
| There is complete breakdown of glucose. | There is incomplete breakdown of glucose. |
| The end-products are carbon dioxide and water. | The end-products are ethyl alcohol and carbon dioxide. |
| A large quantity of energy is liberated (38 ATP) from one mole of glucose. | A small quantity of energy is liberated (2 ATP) from one mole of glucose. |
| It normally occurs throughout life. | It occurs temporarily for short periods |
Characteristics of Respiration in plants
- Oxygen is used up during respiration.
- Carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in germinating seeds.
- Carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in green plants.
- Heat is evolved during respiration in plants.
- Respiration and Photosynthesis
- Also Read Digestive System
Differences between Respiration and Photosynthesis
| PHOTOSYNTHESIS | RESPIRATION |
|---|---|
| It occurs in chloroplast. | It occurs in cytoplasm/mitochondria. |
| It occurs only in the presence of chlorophyll. | It occurs in all living cells. |
| It occurs only in the presence of light. | It occurs continuously at all times. |
| It utilises carbon dioxide and water. | It utilises oxygen and glucose. |
| Oxygen is released as an end-product. | Carbon dioxide is released as an end-product. |
| Light energy is converted into chemical energy and stored. | Chemical energy is partly converted into heat and partly into useful energy for various activities. |
| It results in gain of weight. | It results in loss of weight. |
| Food (glucose manufactured); constructive anabolic process. | Food (glucose broken down/oxidised); destructive catabolic process. |
| It occurs only in plants and few bacteria. | It occurs in all living organisms. |
| It produces ATP by the use of light energy | It produces AP by the oxidation of glucose. |
| NADP is reduced to NADPH2, using hydrogen from the water molecule. | NAD is reduced to NADH, using hydrogen from carbohydrates or food material. |
| ATP and NADPH2 are mainly used for the synthesis of organic compounds. | NADH and ATP are used for cellular functions. |
Differences between Respiration in Plants and Animals
| RESPIRATION IN PLANTS | RESPIRATION IN ANIMALS |
|---|---|
| It does not exhibit external ventilation or breathing movements. | It exhibits external ventilation or breathing movements. |
| No gaseous transport is involved; the respiratory gases simply diffuse in and out of the cell. | The tissue fluid blood is responsible for the transport of gases. |
| Oxygen released during the process of photosynthesis acts as an additional source of oxygen for respiration. | Air is the only source of oxygen. |
| The end-product of anaerobic respiration is ethanol. | The end-product of anaerobic respiration is lactic acid. |
| Produces a small amount of heat. | A larger quantity of heat is released. |
| The rate of respiration is slow. | The rate of respiration is comparatively faster. |
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