Understanding the Rate of Respiration In Leaf Tissue, Flower Buds And In Germinating Seeds

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Arpita Srivastava

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The rate of respiration is the rate at which we measure the number of breaths for one minute by counting how many times the chest rises. 

  • Plant respiration is the mechanism through which sugars created during photosynthesis are combined with oxygen to produce energy.
  • The rate of respiration in plants is different with respect to photosynthesis.
  • Plants make their own nourishment in order to thrive in the natural environment.
  • They consume CO2 from the atmosphere to make sugars and oxygen (O2), which can then be used as an energy source. 
  • While photosynthesis occurs only in the plant’s leaves and stems, respiration takes place in the plant’s leaves, stems, and roots. 
  • Plant respiration is the process through which plants breathe.
  • There are two types of respiration in plants: dark respiration and photorespiration.

Key Terms: Respiration, Photosynthesis, Flower Buds, Leaf Tissue, Germinating Seeds, Understanding the Rate of Respiration In Leaf Tissue, Flower Buds And In Germinating Seeds, Rate of Respiration


Experiment 1 

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The first experiment is as follows:

Aim

The aim of the experiment 1 is to investigate and demonstrate the rate of respiration in flowering buds, leaf tissue, and germinating seeds.

Theory 

We can determine the rate of respiration rate using a device called Ganong’s respirometer, as illustrated in the figure.

Diagram 

The diagrammatical representation of Ganong’s respirometer is as follows:

Ganong’s Respirometer
Ganong’s Respirometer

Apparatus

The apparatus required for three tube levelling parts :

  • For the respiring material, there is a bulb that terminates in a 10% KOH win small bulb at the base.
  • The large bulb is fitted with a stopper and has a lateral hole in it. 
  • Atmospheric association is made through stopper regulation through this hole.
  • There is a graduated manometer embedded with the bulb.
  • With the help of rubber tubing, a levelling tube is fastened to the manometer. 
  • The entire setup is supported by a stand. 

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Materials Required

The materials required to investigate and demonstrate the rate of respiration in flowering buds, leaf tissue, and germinating seeds.

  • 10% KOH solution 
  • Ganong’s respirometer
  • Planting seeds, flower petals, or leaf tissue

Procedure

The procedure for the experiment is as follows:

  • First, you must place 2 ml of respiring material, such as flower petals or germinating seeds, into the respirometer’s large bulb.
  • Take a manometer tube and pour a 10% KOH solution.
  • Initially, atmospheric air around the respiring material is moved to the atmospheric pressure by adjusting the bulb stopper. 
  • The regulation is repeated until the neck of the bulb and the hole coincide.
  • The reservoir tube on the right is levelled so that the KOH solution inside it reaches the 100 ml mark at the base of the manometer.
  • The respiring material is now surrounded by a 100 ml air arrangement. 
  • Turn the glass stopper at the top to begin the experiment. 
  • As a result, you can see that atmospheric air is shut off. 
  • You must continuously note the changes that are happening.

Observation 

The observation of the experiment conducted to demonstrate the rate of respiration in flowering buds, leaf tissue, and germinating seeds.

  • The changes occurring within the equipment are documented.
  • The solution within the manometer tube is gradually observed to rise as respiration happens within the closed apparatus.
  • The experiment’s reading should be taken up to the 80 ml threshold, i.e., Volume: 20 ml (as aerial oxygen is 20 percent). 
  • You must note down the experimental reading at an interval of 10 minutes.
  • Every time, the liquid in both the tubes must be brought to the same mark, i.e the liquid within the closed tube is forced to come under the atmospheric pressure.
  • The outcome can be measured as the amount of carbon dioxide coming out of the used respiring material is measured in millimetres.

Inference

The inference for the experiment is as follows:

  • As soon as the carbon dioxide released comes in contact with the KOH solution, the compound is absorbed by it. 
  • Since oxygen is absorbed, the KOH solution in the manometer tube rises.
  • The rate of increase of the KOH solution is estimated from the rate of aerobic respiration taking place, which is assessed in terms of oxygen volume consumed per unit time per 2 ml of the respiring material.
  • Oxygen makes up about one-fifth of the volume of atmospheric air. 
  • As a result, 20 ml of the enclosed air inside the respirometer is oxygen.
  • Due to this, readings are collected up to a 20-ml increase in the volume of the KOH solution. 
  • Following this, anaerobic respiration begins.

Experiment 2

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The second experiment is as follows:

Aim

The goal is to compare the rate of respiration in different regions of the plant.

Procedure

The procedure for the experiment is as follows:

  • We must choose different plant parts, such as roots, flower buds, and leaves from appropriate herbaceous species.
  • Take 2 ml of plant part. 
  • We can use the water displacement method to compare the rate of respiration in different regions of the plant.
  • Place the sample in the bulbs of three different Ganong respirometers.
  • The experiment mentioned above demonstrates the rate at which respiration occurs.

Observation 

The observation of the experiment is to compare the rate of respiration in different regions of the plant.

  • Within an interval of 10 minutes, the amount of carbon dioxide released in each scenario is recorded.
  • For each sample taken from different areas of the plant, the rate of respiration is plotted geographically. 
  • A comparison is also made.

Inference

The inference for the experiment is as follows:

  • The rate of respiration is always higher in younger and actively growing meristematic tissue than in mature and older portions of the plant.
  • The amount of protoplasm and the respiration rate are inextricably linked. 
  • The larger the concentration of protoplasm, the faster the rate of respiration.
  • When we compare it to vacuolated and mature cells, the respiration rate is always greater in young cells.
  • Active respiration occurs when the region around the root hair receives an appropriate amount of oxygen.
  • The highest rate of respiration is found when flower buds are used in the experiment rather than leaves and roots.

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Things To Remember 

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  • The process through which plants breathe is known as respiration.
  • While photosynthesis occurs in the leaves and stems of plants, respiration takes place in the roots, stems and leaves of plants.
  • Dark respiration and photorespiration. are the two types of respiration that takes place in plants.
  • About 1/5th of the volume of atmospheric air is made up of oxygen.
  • In younger and actively growing meristematic tissue , the rate of respiration is always higher than in mature and older parts of the plant.
  • Young cells have a greater respiration rate as compared to vacuolated and mature cells.

Sample Question

Ques: How do plants get their oxygen? (2 marks)

Ans: Cellular respiration is the process by which all green plants breathe.Nutrients from the soil are transformed into energy and utilized for various cellular processes during this procedure.Cellular respiration happens in the mitochondria of organisms. Plants have mitochondria and can perform cellular respiration.The light energy acquired by plants from the sun can be used to yield oxygen and glucose.

Second Answer

Ans:  Cellular respiration in plants utilizes sunlight-derived energy to create ATP for cellular processes. Plants take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide during cellular respiration. This process is essential for plant growth, development, and survival. This energy is stored in a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which acts as the cell's currency for various functions, like growth, maintenance, and reproduction.

Ques: Do plants breathe at night? (3 marks)

Ans: During the day plants release oxygen in the presence of light through photosynthesis. At night, plants release carbon dioxide and uptake oxygen.This process is known as respiration.

  • Plants do breathe night also, in fact, they breathe throughout their lives, both during the day and at night.
  • The cellular respiration chemical equation is as follows: oxygen + glucose - > carbon dioxide + water + heat energy.

Second Answer

Ans: Plants perform cellular respiration continuously, day and night. Photosynthesis and cellular respiration work together in a cycle, using each other's products and byproducts.

  • Cellular respiration allows plants to generate energy for their survival functions throughout the day and night.
  • The chemical equation for cellular respiration summarizes this process: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon Dioxide + Water + Energy (ATP)

Ques: Identify the respiratory organ found in woody stems? (2 marks) 

Ans: Respiration or gas exchange occurs through lenticels in hard and woody stems. They are the microscopic pores that are present all over the bank of trees. The lenticels are found on the epidermis of different parts of the plants like fruits, stems. Unlike stomata, lenticels can adjust the extent of their opening.

Second Answer

Ans: Through lenticels, plants take in oxygen (O2) needed for cellular respiration, the process by which they generate energy. They release carbon dioxide (CO2), a byproduct of cellular respiration. This gas exchange is essential for plant growth, development, and survival. Unlike stomata, which open and close in response to light and CO2 levels, lenticels may have some ability to adjust the size of their openings. 

Ques: What role do stomata play in plant respiration? (2 marks)

Ans: Tiny openings or pores in plant tissues that help in the exchange of gas is known as stomata. Generally, stomata are found in the leaves of the plants but sometimes they are also found in stems.During cellular respiration, stomata allows gaseous exchange by opening and closing the pores.

Second Answer

Ans: Plants rely on tiny openings in their tissues called stomata (singular: stoma) to exchange gases with the environment. These microscopic pores are primarily found on the undersides of leaves, but they can also be present on stems in some plants. Stomata can open and close in response to various factors like light intensity, humidity, and CO2 levels. 

Ques: What component of the roots participate in the exchange of breathing gases? (2 marks)

Ans: The exchange of breathing gases is facilitated by root hairs, which are tubular extensions of the epidermis.They are outgrowths of epidermal cells and are found in the matured region of the root. Root hairs are specialized cells that are found at the tip of the plant root.

Second Answer

Ans: While root hairs don't directly facilitate gas exchange, their role in water and nutrient uptake is essential for plant growth and survival. Root hairs are like tiny sponges, significantly increasing the surface area of the root. The vast surface area created by these hairs maximizes the contact between the root and the surrounding soil, allowing for efficient water and nutrient uptake.

Ques: What is dark respiration? (3 marks)

Ans: Dark respiration can be defined as the type of respiration in plants that occurs regardless of light. It is not limited to plants only and in this kind of respiration carbon dioxide is released without the help of sunlight. The energy molecules that were generated during the light reactions are used by dark reactions.It is not limited to plants only and in this kind of respiration carbon dioxide is released without the help of sunlight.

Second Answer

Ans: Dark respiration, also known as cellular respiration, is a fundamental process that occurs continuously in all living organisms, including plants. Unlike photosynthesis, it doesn't require sunlight. During dark respiration, cells break down organic molecules like glucose (sugar) to generate energy. This energy is stored in a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate), the cell's main energy currency. Oxygen, typically taken in through specialized structures, plays a crucial role in this process.

Ques: What is photorespiration? (3 marks)

Ans: Another process that happens simultaneously with photosynthesis is photorespiration. The reason both the processes happen at the same time is photorespiration uses oxygen while giving out carbon dioxide and dark reaction of photosynthesis gives out oxygen while using carbon dioxide. Photorespiration can therefore be defined as the process by which plants take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide in the presence of light. It happens when the carbon dioxide concentration drops inside a leaf.

Second Answer

Ans: Photosynthesis is often hailed as the cornerstone of plant life, but it's not the only game in town. Plants also undergo a process called photorespiration, which surprisingly occurs simultaneously with photosynthesis. This might seem counterintuitive, but there's a fascinating reason behind it. During photosynthesis, plants capture sunlight and use it to convert carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air into organic molecules like glucose (sugar). This life-giving process releases oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.

Ques: State the differences between respiration and photosynthesis? (3 marks)

Ans: The difference between respiration and photosynthesis are as follows.

  • The process of photosynthesis happens in green plants only while the process of respiration takes place in all living organisms.
  • The process of respiration happens throughout the day and night while photosynthesis happens in the presence of sunlight only. Therefore, it happens only during the day.
  • In respiration, food particles are broken to release energy. In the process of photosynthesis, food is synthesized by capturing energy.

Second Answer

Ans: Here are several ways that respiration and photosynthesis differ from one another.

  • Only green plants engage in the process of photosynthesis, but all living things engage in respiration.
  • While photosynthesis can only occur in the presence of sunshine, respiration occurs both during the day and at night. As such, it only takes place during the day.
  • Food particles are broken down during breathing to release energy. 
  • It is created by the process of photosynthesis, which involves the capture of energy.

Ques: How is the rate of respiration measured in germinating seeds? (2 marks)

Ans: A respirometer is used to measure the amount of oxygen consumed. The instrument contains germinating seeds and lime water. As soon as the seeds consume oxygen,carbon dioxide is discharged. The carbon dioxide is then absorbed by the limewater creating a vacuum in the respirometer.

Second Answer

Ans: A respirometer measures seed respiration by tracking oxygen consumption. Limewater removes CO2 produced by the seeds, allowing for the measurement of pressure or volume changes. This indirect method provides valuable information about the metabolic activity of germinating seeds.

Ques: Why does the rate of respiration differ in different parts of the plants? (2 marks)

Ans: The rate of respiration is different for different parts of the plants. The rate of respiration is always higher in actively growing meristematic and younger tissues in comparison to older and mature parts of the plants. The protoplasm quantity and rate of respiration are related directly. The rate of respiration is more when the amount of protoplasm is higher.

Second Answer

Ans: Younger, actively growing parts of plants have more living material (protoplasm) and require more energy. This translates to a higher respiration rate as they break down more food molecules to meet their energy demands. Older, mature parts of plants have less active protoplasm and require less energy, resulting in a slower respiration rate.

Ques: Why rate of respiration is higher in germinating seeds? (2 marks)

Ans: The rate of respiration is increased to accommodate the cell-building activities required to break open the seed. It is later produced to form root and stem structures. When seeds are germinating, they require a high rate of oxygen consumption as they are living and need extra oxygen to grow.

Second Answer

Ans: Seed germination is a remarkable transformation, and it requires a significant energy boost. Here's how respiration plays a crucial role: When seeds germinate, they need energy to break free from their tough seed coat. This process requires a high rate of respiration. The released energy is also used for cell-building activities, creating the initial root and stem structures that will become the seedling. 


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