Breathing in plant is the exchange of gases by consuming carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen along with the energy. This is a brief presentation of how plants breathe through then leaves, stem and roots.

1. Breathing in plants
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2. Introduction
 Breathing is the first and foremost
physiological process as most of the organisms
required to do this in order to survive.
 When it comes to plants, it won`t be
appropriate to use the term breathing, instead
they respire.
 The difference between breathing and
respiration is that breathing refer to the action
of inspiration and expiration where lungs play
their role; whereas respiration may or may not
involve the action of lungs.

3.  Otherwise, respiration is the mere exchange of
gases with or without the mechanical action of
breathing. Respiration is more of a chemical
process whereas breathing refers to the
ventilation of air in and out of lungs.
 Let us discuss the process of respiration in
plants and their underlying mechanisms as well
as the plant parts that participate in the
process.

4. A brief about plant respiration
 Respiration is scientifically divided into
external and internal respiration. Internal
respiration is also known as cellular respiration
where carbon enters in and oxygen exit out of
the plant`s system.
 Plants exchange gases by taking carbon dioxide
in and release the oxygen. They use many
green parts of the plant, especially the leaves
where photosynthesis take place.
 Precisely, they use stomata (found on the
upper layer leaves), lenticels (present in
stems) and roots for gas exchange.

5. plant respiration cont………………..
 Through cellular respiration, plants produce glucose
molecules with the help of photosynthesis;
hence, photosynthesis is closely linked with the
plant`s cellular respiration. Plants are autotrophs
because they produce the food and oxygen required by
animals. Plant Respiration and Photosynthesis
undergoes following chemical variations to produce
the carbon dioxide, water, and heat energy.
 i.e. Oxygen + glucose -> carbon dioxide + water +
heat energy. In the case of photosynthesis, oxygen
and glucose is released, I.e. carbon dioxide + water+
light energy -> oxygen + glucose.

6. Respiration in Leaves
 Leaves are the primary morphological
structures necessary for photosynthesis. The
exchange of gases takes place through tiny
pores found on the leaf`s surface known as
stomata.
 The stromal openings provide an opportunity
to absorb the necessary carbon dioxide through
the process of diffusion. See image below for
stroma.

7. The Process of Respiration in Plants
Respiration in Leaves
 Leaves are the primary morphological structures
necessary for photosynthesis. The exchange of gases
takes place through tiny pores found on the leaf`s
surface known as stomata.
 The stromal openings provide an opportunity to absorb
the necessary carbon dioxide through the process of
diffusion.

8. Respiration In Roots
 Although roots doesn’t expose to sunlight, the
underground part of the plants is responsible
for absorbing the air from the air spaces found
between the soil particles.
 This air is transferred to the green parts of the
plant to further distribute into the system.

9. Respiration In Stems
 The air coming in contact with the stem is
absorbed and eventually diffused towards the
leaves. The stomata found in the leaves allow
the air to pass through various parts of the cell
for respiration and the process continues as
usual.
 The CO2 produced during this stage also
dispersed through the stomata. In higher
woody plants, the gaseous exchange is carried
out by lenticels.


10. Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
 Aerobic respiration is a form of exchange of
gases but in anaerobic respiration, gases are
not exchanges.
 The table shown below illustrates the
differences between anaerobic and aerobic
respiration.

11. Aerobic Respiration Anaerobic Respiration
Aerobic respiration takes place both in
the cytoplasm and the mitochondria.
Only cytoplasm is responsible for
anaerobic respiration
Aerobic respiration demands the
presence of oxygen.
Oxygen is not necessary for
anaerobic process.
Aerobic respiration help in gas
exchange.
Gases are not exchanged during the
anaerobic process.
Glucose breaks down into carbon
dioxide and water.
Glucose breaks down into ethyl
alcohol, carbon dioxide, and energy
All higher organisms such as
mammals adapt the aerobic
respiration.
Primitive organisms such as bacteria
and yeast use anaerobic respiration.

12. Differences between Respiration and Photosynthesis
Photosynthesis Respiration
It is absent in animals and
mammalian species.
Respiration is present in all
organisms in different forms.
Photosynthesis produces glucose-
foods.
Respiration is an oxidation process
Photosynthesis stores energy. It helps to release energy.
Photosynthesis is an anabolic
process.
Respiration is a catabolic process.
It is an endodermal process. It is an exothermal process.
Sunlight is required for
photosynthesis
It takes place even in the absence of
oxygen.

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