Respiration in the Leaves of a Plant

In plants, the process of respiration involves combining the sugars created during photosynthesis with oxygen to generate energy for plant growth. In several ways, respiration is the polar opposite of photosynthesis. To thrive in the natural environment, plants must produce their own food.

They produce sugars and oxygen (O2) from carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere, which can then be used as a source of energy. Photosynthesis occurs exclusively in the leaves and stems of the plant, while respiration happens in the leaves, stems, and roots. The following diagram depicts the respiration process:

C6H12O6+ 6O2 → 6CO2+ 6H2+32 ATP (energy)

Plants acquire oxygen from the air through their stomata, much like they do through photosynthesis. “Aerobic respiration” refers to respiration that occurs in the mitochondria of a cell in the presence of oxygen. Plants use two types of respiration: dark respiration and photo respiration. The first can occur in the presence or absence of light, but the second can only occur in the presence of light.

Respiration in the Leaves of a Plant

Stomata, which are microscopic pores in the leaves of a plant, are responsible for respiration in leaves. Oxygen diffuses through stomata and reaches other leaf cells. Carbon dioxide created during respiration is also distributed through the stomata and travels out of the leaves.

In contrast, leaves breathe both during the day and at night. Photosynthesis, on the other hand, happens exclusively during the day. As a result, net gaseous exchange in a plant’s leaves is:

1. The leaves create oxygen during the daytime. This is due to the fact that photosynthesis takes place throughout the day. As a result, leaves consume part of this oxygen for respiration while the rest is dispersed into the atmosphere. Photosynthesis consumes the carbon dioxide created during respiration in the leaves. More carbon dioxide from the atmosphere is necessary. As a result, during the day, oxygen diffuses out and carbon dioxide diffuses in, resulting in net gaseous exchange.
2. Photosynthesis does not occur in the leaves at night. As a result, oxygen diffuses into leaves from the air and carbon dioxide diffuses out into the air during the respiration process. At night, oxygen diffuses in and carbon dioxide diffuses out, resulting in a net gaseous exchange in leaves.

Describe the Process of Respiration in the Leaves of a Plant

Stomata are small pores that appear on the surface of plants’ leaves. Stomata are the openings in the leaves that allow gases to exchange during respiration.

This happens in the following way: By diffusion, oxygen from the air enters a leaf through stomata and reaches all of the cells. The leaf’s cells utilise this oxygen for respiration. Through the same stomata, the carbon dioxide created during the process diffuses out of the leaf into the air.

The photosynthesis reaction produces glucose, which is then broken down by the respiration reaction. Photosynthesis is a reaction that uses light energy as its fuel. Chemical energy is released during the process of respiration.

Role of air temperature

Plants breathe 24 hours a day, however night respiration is more noticeable since the photosynthetic process stops. Since plants are susceptible to stress, it is vital that the temperature at night be lower than it is during the day. Take a look at a marathon runner. A runner’s rate of respiration is higher than that of a person standing still; as a result, the runner’s rate of respiration is higher and the body temperature rises. The similar concept applies to plants: as the temperature rises at night, the respiration rate rises, and the temperature rises as well. This action may cause flower damage as well as poor plant growth.

Process of Respiration in the Leaves

A plant’s leaves include microscopic openings called stomata through which breathing gases are exchanged via diffusion. Through stomata, oxygen from the air diffuses into a leaf and reaches all of the cells, where it is needed for respiration, while carbon dioxide produced diffuses out of the leaf into the air.

Conclusion

Plants, like all other animals, breathe. Plants, too, require energy. Plants get energy by breaking down glucose meal in the presence of oxygen to produce carbon dioxide and water, as well as releasing energy.

The plant uses this energy to carry out its numerous life activities. Plants, like other species, need to breathe to survive. Plants and animals have different respiratory systems. In other words, each portion of a plant may take in oxygen from the air, use it to generate energy, and expel carbon dioxide on its own.