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7.6 RESPIRATION IN PLANTS

Plants less active than animals need lower energy requirement Gaseous exchange occur mainly in the leaves (large surface area to volume ratio) By simple diffusion through the stomata & the lenticels Gaseous exchange in the light Gaseous exchange in the dark
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Gaseous Exchange in the Light

During photosynthesising, the [CO2] in the air space of the spongy layer falls below the 0.04% CO2 in the atmosphere stomata spongy layer O2 in the cells stomata atmosphere Both respiration & photosynthesis occurs The rate of both process depends on the light intensity
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Gaseous Exchange in the Dark

Respiration alone is taking place Less O2 inside the spongy layer than outside O2 from atmosphere lenticels spongy layer CO2 from cell respiration lenticels atmosphere

Aerobic Respiration In Plants

Gasesous exchange can be investigated in the dark

6CO2 + 6H2O + 2880 kJ/ mole

Glucose + oxygen carbon dioxide + water + energy

C6H12O6 + 6O2

Carry out throughout the day & night In the light, photosynthesis is faster than respiration. CO2 produced is quickly used up by photosynthesis
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Anaerobic Respiration in Plants

Occurs when O2 absent alcoholic fermentation Occurs in certain situation flooding, initial stages of germination Glucose ethanol + carbon dioxide + energy

C6H12O6 2C2H5OH + 2CO2 + 210 kJ/ mole Example : young rice plants

Respiration & Photosynthesis

Respiration is the reverse of photosynthesis Respiration uses the product of photosynthesis, photosynthesis uses the product of respiration

Compare & Contrast Respiration & Photosynthesis

RESPIRATION
SIMILARITIES

PHOTOSYNTHESIS

Both are metabolic processes

DIFFERENCES

A process of catabolism
Occurs in all living cells

A process of anabolism
Occurs in cells containing chloroplast / chlorophyll

Take place in absence & presence of light

Uses glucose & oxygen

Require light
Uses carbon dioxide & water

Produces CO2 & H2O

Cell loses weight Chemical energy heat + ATP

Produces glucose & O2

Cell gains weight Solar energy chemical energy
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Light Intensity & The Compensation Point

Dark no photosynthesis, respiration continues CO2 formed & released Light light intensity increase, the rate of photosynthesis increase Compensation point is reach when all the CO2 produced in respiration by the plant is re-used in photosynthesis & there is no net loss or gain in CO2 Compensation point = the LI at which the rate of CO2 uptake (rate of photosynthesis) is exactly equal to the rate of CO2 production (rate of respiration)
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