Life Processes

RESPIRATION IN PLANTS

• Respiration in Roots:  Air is present in-between the particles of soil. The roots of a plant take in oxygen by diffusion required for respiration from the air present in-between the soil particles by the process of diffusion. While respiring, carbon dioxide gas produced in the cells of the root moves out through the same root hairs by the process of diffusion.

• Respiration in Stems: The stems of herbaceous plants (or herbs) have stomata. So, stomata facilitate, the exchange of respiratory gases in the stems of herbaceous plants. Through stomata, the oxygen from air diffuses into the stem of a herbaceous plant. This reaches all the cells for respiration. Further, the carbon dioxide gas produced during respiration diffuses out into the air through the same stomata.

• Respiration in Leaves: Respiration in leaves occurs during the day as well as at night :

• During day time, when photosynthesis occurs, oxygen generates. The leaves use some of this oxygen for respiration and the rest of oxygen diffuses out into air.
• At night time, when no photosynthesis occurs and hence no oxygen generates..

• Respiration in Animals: The respiration in animals is more complex than in plants.

• Respiration in aquatic animals: The aquatic animal like fish, prawns and mussels have gills as the respiratory organs. The animals which live in water (aquatic animals) use the oxygen dissolved in water. Oxygen dissolved in water is low as compared to the amount of oxygen the air. This results in rate of breathing of aquatic animals in much faster than in terrestrial animals.

Difference between respiration in plants and animals

The respiration in plants differs from that in animals in three respects:

All the parts of a plant (like root, stem and leaves) perform respiration individually.
During respiration in plants, there is a little transport of respiratory gases from one part of the plant to the other while in case of animals, respiratory gases are usually transported over long distances inside.
The respiration in plants occurs at a slow rate whereas, animals respire at faster rate.

The average breathing rate in an adult man at rest is about 15 to 18 times per minute.

Difference between respiration in plants and animals

The respiration in plants differs from that in animals in three respects:

• All the parts of a plant (like root, stem and leaves) perform respiration individually.
• During respiration in plants, there is a little transport of respiratory gases from one part of the plant to the other while in case of animals, respiratory gases are usually transported over long distances inside.