17 Respiration

in plant
 Definition of respiration
• Organic food substances are oxidised 被氧化 to
release energy which can be used by living cells to
carry out many vital process.

Glucose + oxygen  carbon dioxide + water + energy

C6H12O6 + 6O2  6CO2 + 6H2O + energy
 Gaseous exchange in plants

• Green plants do not have specialised breathing

mechanisms 专业呼吸机制 for gaseous exchange.
 Gaseous exchange in plants
Gaseous exchange in plant take place through
a) Stomata 气孔 in leaves (principal sites)
b) lenticels in stems 茎部的皮孔
c) root hairs 根毛
 Gaseous exchange in plants
• The simple diffusion 扩散 of gases is sufficient
to meet their needs.
 Gaseous exchange in plants
• The intake of oxygen
and the release of
carbon dioxide by
green plants can only
be detected at night
or when the plant is
placed in darkness.
Gaseous exchange in plants

• If the plant is placed

in bright sunlight,
photosynthesis and
respiration occur at
the same time.
 Gaseous exchange in plants

• During photosynthesis, oxygen is set free and

some of this oxygen is used for tissue
respiration.
• But in bright sunlight, the rate of
photosynthesis is much greater than the rate
of respiration. More oxygen is set free than
the cells can retain 保留 for respiration.
 Gaseous exchange in plants

• As a result, the excess oxygen diffuse out

of the leaves through the stomata.
• Since the amount of carbon dioxide
produce during tissue respiration is not
sufficient for food-making, more carbon
dioxide has to diffuse into the leaf from
the outside atmosphere.
Experiment to demonstrate respiration in plants
(A) To prove that oxygen is taken up during respiration

氢氧化钙

/ lime water

Procedure:
1. Take a conical flask 锥形瓶 which is painted black
on the outside as shown in the diagram.
2. Mark the original water level.
3. Place the apparatus one day.
(A) To prove that oxygen is taken up during respiration
Observation:
1. Water level rises up the glass tube.
2. Calcium hydroxide 氢氧化钙 becomes milky 乳白色 .
3. Test the gas with a glowing splinter 点燃的火柴 . The
splint stop to burn, showing that there is no oxygen in
the flask.

Conclusion:
1. Due to the pressure in the flask decrease, water
rises up the glass tube.
2. Oxygen is absorbed by the plant during respiration.
(B) To prove that respiration produces carbon dioxide

Procedure:
1. Four glass bottles were set up as shown in the diagram. All the glass bottles contained
the same amount of lime water 石灰水 and water.
2. Glass bottle A contained a stone.
Glass bottle B contained young shoot 嫩枝 .
Glass bottle C contained Hibisucs 大红花 .
Glass bottle D contained germinating seeds 萌发种子 .
3. The four glass bottle were left in the darkness for about a day.
(B) To prove that respiration produces carbon dioxide
Observation:
Glass bottle A: lime water remained unchanged.
Glass bottle B: lime water turned milky.
Glass bottle C: lime water turned milky.
Glass bottle D: lime water turned milky.

Conclusion:
1. Lime water absorbs carbon dioxide and turned to milky.
2. Living things will take in oxygen and release carbon
dioxide during respiration.
3. Non-living things do not respire.
 (C) To prove that heat is liberated 放出热量 during
respiration

Procedure:
1. Set up thermos flask 保温瓶 A and B as shown in the diagram.
2. Thermos flask A: Green peas 绿豆 soaked in water and preservative
防腐剂 .
Thermos flask B: Green peas soaked in water.
3. Place the apparatus for overnight.
 (C) To prove that heat is liberated 放出热量 during
respiration
Observation:
1. Thermos flask A: temperature remains the same.
Thermos flask B: temperature rises.

Conclusion:
1. Germinating 发芽 seeds liberated heat during the
respiration.
2. Germinating seeds are best used for this experiment
because they are in a state of active growth.
3. Preservative: it prevents decay 腐烂 of the dead
seeds which may produce a rise in temperature.
Comparison between Photosynthesis and Respiration
Comparison between Photosynthesis and Respiration
Photosynthesis Respiration

Green plants and some Types of organisms All living organisms

bacteria involved

Chloroplasts Organelles involved Mitochondria

Anabolism Types of metabolism Catabolism

Conditional (depends on Frequency of All the times (day and

availability of light) occurrence nitght)

Produced Oxygen Consumed

Consumed Carbon dioxide Produced

Comparison between Photosynthesis and Respiration
Photosynthesis Respiration

Produced Glucose Consumed

No ATP production Yes

Glucose and oxygen Products Energy, water and

carbon dioxide

Light energy  Exchange of energy Chemical energy 

Chemical energy ATP + heat energy

6CO2 + 6H2O + Light C6H12O6 + 6O2 

energy  Chemical equation 6CO2 + 6H2O + Energy
C6H12O6 + 6O2