Plant Processes: Respiration

Review: Why is photosynthesis an important plant process? Photosynthesis = process of making food Organisms like plants provide food for almost all other living things on Earth Plants release oxygen into atmosphere – almost 90% of oxygen is from photosynthesis

Respiration Related to photosynthesis: Respiration is a series of chemical reactions that all organisms use to break down food to release energy Respiration in most organisms requires oxygen – This is called aerobic respiration – Aerobic means using oxygen

Respiration Chemical reaction for respiration: C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂  6CO₂ + 6H₂O + energy Glucose and oxygen produce carbon dioxide and water and energy Is this equation familiar? How does it relate to the equation for photosynthesis? *Remember: During photosynthesis CO₂ and H₂O are combined with light energy to create glucose and O₂. *In respiration oxygen and glucose are combined to release the energy found in the bonds of the food (glucose) and this creates CO₂ and H₂O

Why is respiration important? Provides energy needed by the cell and gives energy to the whole organism During respiration, food energy is changed into a form that plant cells (and your cells!) can use Aerobic respiration returns CO₂ to the atmosphere to be used again in photosynthesis