Respiration of plants

Fig. 11-1. Mean monthly concentrations of atmospheric C02at Mauna Loa. The yearly oscillation is explained mainly by the annual cycle of photosynthesis and respiration of plants in the Northern Hemisphere. Source Lindzen (2).

Priestley also researched relationships among plants, air, and animals. He observed the respiration of plants, by which they take in carbon dioxide and produce oxygen. His observation helped others understand the process. He observed green matter , which now we know as photosynthesis. 

The concentration of C02 in the atmosphere is 0.03% by volume. In the soil air, that is, the air between the soil grains, the concentration of C02 is 50 to 100 times higher. The source of the extra C02 is biogenic respiration of plant roots and bacterial decomposition of buried plant remains. 

He fumbled with the rope. Inside was the scent of newly cut wood, curls of bark and specimens sliced from fallen branches. I have been studying bark, he said, and its purpose in the respiration of plants. Since coming to Selden, I have found great riches in these woods. ... 

Citric acid Citrus fruits Essential for citric acid cycle in respiration of plants Barbosa-Canovas et al. 2003 Food-Info 2009... 

Dissolution of carbonate grains may occur as a consequence of (i) a build up of Pqo, the vadose zone due to the extensive respiration of plants and micro-organisms (ii) an increase in the concentration of organic (humic-fulvic) acids due to secretion by, or decay of, plants and (iii) mixing between waters with chemically dilferent compositions, particularly in terms of Pco, (c-g- vadose and phreatic waters), which is referred to as mixing corrosion (Wigley Plummer, 1976). 

Silicate weathering resulting from the dissolution of ambient atmospheric C02 would be slow under the low carbonic acid concentrations produced at present-day atmospheric C02 levels. However, much higher C02 concentrations are found in soil pore-waters, due to the respiration of plant roots and the microbial oxidation of organic matter. Organic acids from root exudates and microbial activity also contribute to the weathering process (Berner 1992). 

Concerning the effect of the triazines on the respiration of plants, several contradictory results have been published. In certain plants stimulation of respiration ocurred, but it was inhibited in others. In other experiments either no effect was detected or respiration was inhibited (Funderburk and Davis, 1963 Foy and Penner, 1965 Thomson et al., 1969). 

Bipyridylium herbicides also produce changes in other biological processes of plants. It has been shown experimentally that they have an effect on the respiration of plants, photosynthetic oxygen production and the intake of carbon dioxide and that they inhibit transpiration (Mees, 1960 Funderburk and Lawrance, 1964 van Oorschot, 1966 Dodge, 1971). 

Voznesensky,V.,Zalensky,0.,Seraikhatova,0.(l965)The methods of investigation photosynthesis and respiration of plants.Moskov/.Hauka,305p. 

During photosynthesis, CO2 is removed from the atmosphere and from the hydrosphere. A part of this COg is returned almost immediately during the respiration of plants. The remainder is, for the most part, returned indirectly by the respiration of animals and during the putrefaction of dead plants and animals. This is known as the biological carbon cycle. 

Gannutz, T. P. (1970). Photosynthesis and respiration of plants in the Antarctic Peninsula area. Antarctic J. 5, 49-51. 

The Earth s atmosphere contains about 0.03% by volume of CO2, and the equilibrium in Equation 10.2 means that rain falling through even unpolluted skies will be slightly acidic. CO2 is produced by respiration of plants and animals, but is used by plants in the photosynthesis of carbohydrates. The fossilization of plants in the Carboniferous Period (354-290 million years ago) was responsible for the production of coal. Marine organisms use forms of calcium carbonate (calcite and aragonite) in their exoskeletons. An example of the role of this biomineral in protection is shown in Figure 10.15. Some of these organisms live in coral reefs, but others swim about in the sea, and when they die their shells fall to the sea bed. 

There are, however, many enzymes which, because they do not seem to be contained in such cellular particles, are referred to as soluble enzymes . Thus, the chemical reactions whereby the yeast cell converts glucose into ethanol and which seem to be identical with the first sequence of reactions in the normal respiration of plant cells are catalysed by such soluble enzymes. In the living cell such enzymes may, however, function as an organised multi-enzyme system which forms part of the endoplasmic reticulum. The fact that they cannot be obtained in association may merely reflect our inability to preserve the endoplasmic reticulum in cell-free preparations. Thus, in alcoholic fermentation by the yeast cell, which occurs in the absence of oxygen, there is an oxidative reaction which is balanced by a reduction. These both involve dehydrogenase enzymes having the same co-enzyme, nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. One of these reactions, that catalysed by alcohol dehydrogenase, has already been mentioned (p. 73, eqn. 6). The other reaction... 

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