Respiration in Plants

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

RESPIRATIONCOMBUSTION
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 RESPIRATIONANAEROBIC 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

PHOTOSYNTHESISRESPIRATION
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 PLANTSRESPIRATION 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.

YOU MAY NEED GEOGRAPHY NOTES CLASS 9

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