Plants respire too

The idea

Plants respire, breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy for growth and development: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.

Do plants breathe?

We take in oxygen and release carbon dioxide. We know that all living beings respire.

Do plants respire like we do?

• Yes, plants respire too
• No, only animals respire
• Only some plants do

Seeds, lime water, equation

Lime water turns milky when there is more carbon dioxide. Let time pass and compare the two flasks.

The seeds released carbon dioxide, so they respire. Now build the word equation of respiration.

Respiration

Respiration breaks down glucose using oxygen. It releases carbon dioxide and water, and also energy.

Plants respire, breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy for growth and development: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.

• Respiration | Names
• Used up | Glucose and oxygen
• Released | Carbon dioxide, water and energy

Notes

Plants respire, breaking down glucose in the presence of oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide, water and energy for growth and development: Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy.

Check yourself

Lime water turned milky in the flask with germinating seeds. What does this show?

In respiration, what is broken down?

The energy released in respiration is used by plants for …

Which word equation shows respiration?

• The seeds released carbon dioxide as they respire — correct. Yes! The seeds respire.
• The seeds made oxygen in the flask. Lime water turns milky because of carbon dioxide, which the seeds released.
• The seeds took in all the carbon dioxide. Milky lime water shows more carbon dioxide, not less.
• Oxygen. Oxygen is used up. Glucose is the substance that is broken down.
• Glucose — correct. Yes! Glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is released in respiration.
• making sunlight. Sunlight comes from the Sun. Plants use the energy for growth and development.
• nothing, it is wasted. Plants use this energy for growth and development.
• growth and development — correct. Yes! The plant uses it to grow.
• Glucose + Oxygen → Carbon dioxide + Water + Energy — correct. Yes! This is respiration.
• Glucose + Water → Oxygen + Energy. In respiration glucose and oxygen are used, and carbon dioxide, water and energy are released.
• Carbon dioxide + Water → Glucose + Oxygen. That is photosynthesis, not respiration.