Environmental science, interdisciplinary academic field that draws

on ecology, geology, meteorology, biology, chemistry, engineering,

and physics to study environmental problems and human impacts on
the environment. Environmental science is a quantitative discipline with both
applied and theoretical aspects and has been influential in informing the
policies of governments around the world. Environmental science is
considered separate from environmental studies, which emphasizes the
human relationship with the environment and the social and political
dimensions thereof. For example, whereas a researcher in environmental
studies might focus on the economic and political dimensions of international
climate-change protocols, an environmental scientist would seek to
understand climate change by quantifying its effects with models and
evaluating means of mitigation.
Though the study of the environment is as old as any human endeavour, the
modern field of environmental science developed from the growing public
awareness and concern about environmental problems in the 1960s and
’70s.

Definition of Biogeochemical Cycle

Have you wondered what living organisms are made of? The building
blocks that make up organisms include elements such as hydrogen,
oxygen, carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur. Elements are the key
ingredients that make up cells, DNA, proteins, hair, and skin. If you were to
break apart the human body you would find it is comprised mostly of the
element oxygen.
A biogeochemical cycle is defined as the movement of elements, like
those mentioned just a moment ago, through organisms and the
environment. A way to remember this is to break apart the word
'biogeochemical' into pieces. The first part of the word, bio, involves
biological organisms, like bacteria, plants, and animals. The next part of the
word, geo, involves geological processes, like weathering of rocks. The last
part of the word indicates chemical processes, such as the formation of
molecules.

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Respiration in Plants

Plants like other animals also respire. Plants also need energy. The plants get energy
through the process of respiration in which glucose food breaks down in the presence
of oxygen to form carbon dioxide and water with the release of energy.

This energy is used by the plant for carrying out its various life processes. Thus, Like
other organisms, plants also respire for their survival. The respiration in plants differs
from that of animals. In other words, in plants, each part can independently take in
oxygen from air, utilize it to obtain energy, and give out carbon dioxide

Respiration in Roots

The roots of plants are under the ground but root cells also need oxygen to carry out
respiration and release energy for their own use.

How Does Respiration Occur in Roots?

The roots of a plant take up air from the spaces between the soil particles. Root hairs
are in contact with the air in the soil particles. Oxygen from the air in soil particles
diffuse into root hair and reach all the cells of the root where it is utilised in
respiration. Carbon dioxide produced in the cells of the root during respiration goes
out through the same root hair by the process of diffusion.

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If a potted plant is over watered for a long time, then the plant may ultimately die.
This is because too much water expels all the air from in between the soil particles.
Due to this, oxygen is not available to the roots for aerobic respiration. In this
condition, the roots of plant respire anaerobically producing alcohol. This may kill
the plant. Germinating seeds during early stage respire anaerobically because they
have seed coat which does not allow the oxygen to enter through it.

Respiration in plants happens throughout the day and night thereby carbon dioxide is
produced. However, during the daytime, the amount of carbon dioxide released is
negligible compared to the amount of oxygen produced as a result of photosynthesis.
Hence, one should not sleep under a tree at night.