Every part respires

The idea

All parts of a plant, green or non-green, carry out respiration.

Is the root alive?

A root is not green and sits in the dark soil. A leaf is green and sits in the light.

Which parts of a plant do you think respire?

• Only the green parts
• Only the non-green parts
• All parts

Tap each part

Tap the leaf, the stem, the flower and the root.

All parts respire

Green parts respire. Non-green parts respire too. Every part needs energy to grow.

All parts of a plant, green or non-green, carry out respiration.

Notes

All parts of a plant, green or non-green, carry out respiration.

Check yourself

Which parts of a plant respire?

A root is not green. Does it respire?

What does a non-green part do in respiration?

Which gas does a flower use for respiration?

• Only the leaves. All parts of a plant respire, not only the leaves.
• All parts, green or non-green — correct. Yes! Every part respires.
• Only the green parts. Non-green parts, such as roots, respire too.
• No, it is underground. All parts of a plant respire, also those underground.
• No, it has no chlorophyll. Respiration does not depend on being green. All parts respire.
• Yes, all parts respire — correct. Yes! Green or non-green, it respires.
• It breaks down glucose using oxygen — correct. Yes! It releases carbon dioxide, water and energy.
• It takes in carbon dioxide and releases oxygen. That describes photosynthesis. Respiration uses oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
• It makes glucose from carbon dioxide. That is photosynthesis. In respiration glucose is broken down.
• Sunlight. Sunlight is not a gas. In respiration oxygen is used.
• Oxygen — correct. Yes! Respiration uses oxygen.
• Carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide is released in respiration.