Plant Respiration

Exchange of Gases in Plants:

Plants do not have great demands for gaseous exchange. The rate of respiration in plants is much lower than in
animals. Large amounts of gases are exchanged only during photosynthesis, and leaves are well equipped for
that. The distance travelled by gases in plants is not much and hence diffusion is enough to meet the need.
Hence, plants do not have specialized organs for exchange of gases. Lenticels and stomata serve as the openings
through which exchange of gases takes place in plants.

Respiration:

The complete combustion of glucose yields energy during respiration. Most of the energy produced during
respiration is given out as heat. CO2 and H2O are the end products of respiration.

The energy produced during respiration is also used for synthesizing other molecules. To ensure the adequate
supply of energy for synthesis of different molecules; plants catabolise the glucose molecule in such a way that
not all the liberated energy goes out as heat. Glucose is oxidized in several small steps. Some steps are large
enough to ensure that the released energy can be coupled with ATP synthesis.

Steps of Respiration:

Respiration happens in two main steps in all living beings, viz. glycolysis and processing of pyruvate. Glycolysis
involves breaking down glucose into pyruvate. This is common in all living beings. Further processing of
pyruvate depends on the aerobic or anaerobic nature of an organism. In anaerobic respiration, pyruvate is
further processed to produce either lactic acid or ethyl alcohol. There is incomplete oxidation of glucose in
anaerobic respiration. In aerobic respiration, pyruvate is further processed to produce carbon dioxide and
water; alongwith energy. There is complete oxidation of glucose in case of aerobic respiration.

GLYCOLYSIS

The scheme of glycolysis was given by Gustav Embden, Otto Meyerhof and J Parnas. Due to this, it is also called
the EMP Pathway. Glycolysis takes place in the cytoplasm.

Glucose undergoes partial oxidation in glycolysis; to form two molecules of pyruvic acid. Four molecules of
pyruvic acid are formed after partial oxidation of one molecule of glucose during this process.

 First of all, glucose and fructose undergo phosphorylation to produce glucose-6-phosphate. The enzyme
hexokinase facilitates this process. Two molecules of ATP are utilised during phosphorylation of one
molecule of glucose. Two molecules of fructose-6-phosphate are formed at the end of this step.
 Fructose-6-phosphate is then converted into PGAL (Phosphoglyceraldehyde). Each molecule of PGAL
then undergoes various steps to finally produce Pyruvic Acid. Four molecules of ATP are produced
during this conversion. Since two molecules of ATP were utilised during phosphorylation of glucose,
hence net production of ATP at the end of glycolysis is two for each molecule of glucose.

DRAW GLYCOLYSIS FROM TEXT BOOK

Fate of Pyruvic Acid: Pyurvic acid further undergoes subsequent processes which are different for anaerobic
and aerobic conditions.

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FERMENTATION:-

Endogenous electron acceptors are used for oxidation of organic compounds during fermentation. This is in
contrast to aerobic respiration in which exogenous electron acceptors are used. Anaerobic does not necessarily
mean absence of oxygen, rather it can also take place even in the presence of oxygen.

Sugar is the most common substrate of fermentation. Ethanol, lactic acid and hydrogen are the common
fermentation products. However, other compounds can also be produced by fermentation, e.g. butyric acid and
acetone. Apart from taking place in yeast and many other anaerobes, fermentation also takes place in
mammalian muscles. In our muscle cells, fermentation takes place during intense exercise; to meet out the
excess demand of oxygen.

Plant Respiration

AEROBIC RESPIRATION

Aerobic respiration takes place within the mitochondria. Following are the main steps in aerobic respiration:

 Stepwise removal of all the hydrogen atoms leads to complete oxidation of pyruvate. This leaves three
molecules of CO2. This step takes place in the matrix of mitochondria.
 Electrons removed from hydrogen atoms are passed on to molecular O2. This happens with
simultaneous synthesis of ATP. This step takes place in the inner membrane of mitochondria.

Acetylation of pyruvic acid

 Pyruvate enters the mitochondira matrix and undergoes oxidative decarboxylation. This involves a
complex set of reactions which are catalysed by pyruvate dehydrogenase.

Pyruvic acid + CoA+ NAD Mg2+ Acetyl CoA +CO2 +NADH+H

Pyruvate dehydrogenase

 During this process, two molecules of NADH are produced from the metabolism of two molecules of
pyruvic acid (produced from one glucose molecule during glycolysis).
 After this, acetyl CoA enters a cyclic pathway. This pathway is called tricarboxylic acid cycle or Citric
Acid Cycle or Krebs’ Cycle. This was first explained by Hans Krebs.

Kreb's Cycle

 The TCA cycle starts with the condensation of acetyl group with oxaloacetic acid (OAA) and water to
yield citric acid. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme citrate synthase and a molecule of CoA is
released. Citrate is then isomerised to isocitrate.
 It is followed by two successive steps of decarboxylation. These steps of decarboxylation lead to the
formation of α-ketoglutaric acid and then succinyl-CoA.
 After that, succinyl-CoA is oxidised to OAA allowing the cycle to continue. During this step, a molecule of
GTP is synthesised. This is a substrate level phosphorylation.

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  In a coupled reaction GTP is converted to GDP with the simultaneous synthesis of ATP from ADP.
Moreover, there are three points in the cycle where NAD+ is reduced to NADH+H+ and one point where
FAD+ is reduced to FADH2.
 The continued oxidation of acetic acid via the TCA cycle requires the continued replenishment of oxalo
acetic acid. It also requires regeneration of NAD+ and FAD+ from NADH and FADH2respectively.

DRAW KREB CYCLE FROM TEXT BOOK

Electron Transport System (ETS) and Oxidative Phosphorylation

The next steps are to release and utilize the energy stored in NADH+H+ and FADH2. This is accomplished when
they are oxidised through the electron transport system and the electrons are passed on to O2resulting in the
formation of H2O.

The metabolic pathway, through which the electron passes from one carrier to another, is called the electron
transport system (ETS). This pathway is present in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

 Electrons from NADH (produced in the mitochondria matrix) are oxidized by an NADH dehydrogenase
(Complex I). After that, electrons are transferred to ubiquinone which is located within the inner
membrane.
 Ubiquinone also receives reducing equivalents via FADH2 (Complex II). FADH2 is generated during
oxidation of succinate in the citric acid cycle.
 The reduced ubiquinone (ubiquinol) is then oxidised with the transfer of electrons to cytochrome c via
cytochrome bc1 complex (complex III).


Cytochrome c is a small protein attached to the outer surface of the inner membrane and acts as a

 Mobile carrier for transfer of electrons between complex III and IV.
 Complex IV refers to cytochrome c oxidase complex containing cytochromes a and a3, and two copper
centres.
 When the electrons pass from one carrier to another via complex I to IV in the electron transport chain,
they are coupled to ATP synthase (complex V). This coupling is necessary for the production of ATP
from ADP and inorganic phosphate. The nature of the electron donor decides the number of ATP
molecules synthesized.

Oxidation of one molecule of NADH gives rise to 3 molecules of ATP, while oxidation of one molecule of
FADH2 produces 2 molecules of ATP.

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Although the aerobic process of respiration takes place only in the presence of oxygen, the role of oxygen is
limited to the terminal stage of the process. But since oxygen drives the whole process by removing hydrogen
from the system, the presence of oxygen is vital.

Yet, the presence of oxygen is vital, since it drives the whole process by removing hydrogen from the system.
Oxygen acts as the final hydrogen acceptor.

During photophosphorylation, light energy is utilised for the production of proton gradient. But in respiration,
the energy of oxidation-reduction is utilised for the production of proton gradient. Hence, this process is called
oxidative phosphorylation.

The energy released during the electron transport system is utilised in synthesizing ATP with the help of ATP
synthase (Complex V). This complex is composed of two major components, viz. F1 and F0. The F1 headpiece is
a peripheral membrane protein complex. It contains the site for synthesis of ATP. F0 is an integral membrane
protein complex which forms the channel through which protons cross the inner membrane. The passage of
protons through the channel is accompanied by catalytic site of the F1 component for the production of ATP.
For each ATP produced, 2H+passed through F0 down the electrochemical proton gradient.

Question:What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Answer

Oxidative phosphorylation is a process in which electrons are transferred from electron donors to oxygen,
which acts as electron acceptor. The oxidation-reduction reactions are involved in the formation of proton
gradient. The main role in oxidative phosphorylation is played by the enzyme ATP synthase (complex V). This
enzyme complex consists of F0 and F1 components. The F1headpiece is a peripheral membrane protein
complex and contains the site for ATP synthesis from ADP and inorganic phosphate. F0component is a part of
membrane protein complex, which acts as a channel for crossing of the protons from inner mitochondrial
membrane to the mitochondrial matrix. For every two protons passing through F0–F1 complex, synthesis of
one ATP molecule takes place.

Question.What is the significance of step-wise release of energy in respiration?

Answer

The process of aerobic respiration is divided into four phases – glycolysis, TCA cycle, ETS, and oxidative
phosphorylation. It is generally assumed that the process of respiration and production of ATP in each phase
takes place in a step-wise manner. The product of one pathway forms the substrate of the other pathway.
Various molecules produced during respiration are involved in other biochemical processes. The respiratory
substrates enter and withdraw from pathway on necessity. ATP gets utilized wherever required and enzymatic
rates are generally controlled. Thus, the step-wise release of energy makes the system more efficient in
extracting and storing energy.

The Respiratory Balance Sheet

The respiratory balance sheet gives theoretical value about net gain of ATP for every glucose molecule oxidized.
The calculations for respiratory balance sheet are based on some assumptions which are as follows:

 There is a sequential and orderly pathway in which one substrate makes the next substrate. Glycolysis,
TCA cycle and ETS pathway follow one after another.
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  NADH is synthesized in glycolysis and is transferred into the mitochondria. The NADH undergoes
oxidative phosphorylation within the mitochondria.
 None of the intermediates in the pathway are utilised to synthesise any other compound.
 Glucose is the only substrate undergoing respiration. No other alternative substrates are entering in the
pathway at any stage.

But these assumptions may not be valid in a living system because all pathways work simultaneously. There
can be a net gain of 36 ATP molecules during aerobic respiration of one molecule of glucose.

Respiratory Quotient

The ratio of the volume of CO2 evolved to the volume of O2 consumed during respiration is called the
respiratory quotient (RQ) or respiratory ratio. The RQ for carbohydrates is 1. The RQ for fat and protein is less
than 1.

Reaction for respiration of fat:

AMPHIBOLIC PATHWAY

Respiration is generally assumed to be a catabolic process because during respiration, various substrates
are broken down for deriving energy. Carbohydrates are broken down to glucose before entering
respiratory pathways. Fats get converted into fatty acids and glycerol whereas fatty acids get converted
into acetyl CoA before entering the respiration. In a similar manner, proteins are converted into amino
acids, which enter respiration after deamination.

During synthesis of fatty acids, acetyl CoA is withdrawn from respiratory pathway. Also, in the synthesis of
proteins, respiratory substrates get withdrawn. Thus, respiration is also involved in anabolism. Therefore,
respiration can be termed as amphibolic pathway as it involves both anabolism and catabolism.

Diagram form text book

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 QUESTIONS

RESPIRATION IN PLANTS

1. Define thefollowing: Respiration, respiratory substrate, Aerobic &anaerobic respiration, fermentation,

2. Definerespiratoryquotient.GivetheRQvaluesof carbohydrates,fats,organic acids.

3. Which is the common step for both aerobic & anaerobic respiration? Where does it takes place?

4. Who proposed the various steps of glycolysis? Explain the various steps of glycolysis.

5. Describe lactic acid & alcoholic fermentation.

6. What is oxidative decarboxylation?

7..Explain the various steps of citric acid cycle.

8. Explain how does the acetlylco.A is formed. Where is it formed?

9. Name the connecting link between the glycolysis and Kreb’scycle.

10. How many molecules of ATP are formed when one molecule of FADH2 &NADH2 is oxidized?

11. Illustrate the mechanism of electron transport system.

12. What are the two ways in which ATP is produced during glycolysis?

13. Why does an aerobic respiration produce less energy than aerobic respiration?

14. Give a detailed account on the number of ATP molecules produced through various steps in
aerobic oxidation of one molecule of glucose.

14. Discuss“the respiratory pathway is an amphibolic pathway”