Plants also use oxygen and release carbon dioxide during respiration. 

  • All parts of a plant (root, stem and leaves) respire individually
  • Gases do not need to be transported to other body parts of the plant.
  • Occurs at a slow rate.

Exchange of Gases: Diffusion

  • Since plants have a branching shape, they have a much larger surface area than volume. 
  • Thus they obtain oxygen by diffusion in all their parts. 

Respiration in roots:

  • Roots of plants absorb air present in the soil by diffusion.  
  • The roots have small root hairs that are in contact with the air pockets in the soil. 
  • Carbon dioxide produced in the root cells is expelled through root hair by diffusion.

Respiration in Stem:

  • Stems of herbs have stomata .
  • Oxygen from air diffuses into the stomata and reaches all the cells from respiration.
  • Carbon dioxide also diffuses out from the stomata.
  • In woody stems, the bark has lenticels for gaseous exchange . Oxygen diffuses into the woody stem and reaches all inner cells for respiration. CO2 diffuses out from the same lenticels.

Respiration in Leaves:

  • Leaves have tiny pores called stomata where the gaseous exchange takes place. 
  • Oxygen from air diffuses into the stomata and reaches all the cells from respiration.
  • Carbon dioxide also diffuses out from the stomata.
  • Respiration occurs in leaves during the day as well as night . Photosynthesis only occurs during the day.

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Maninder Singh

CA Maninder Singh is a Chartered Accountant for the past 13 years and a teacher from the past 17 years. He teaches Science, Economics, Accounting and English at Teachoo