Plants have a unique way of "breathing" compared to animals. Instead of using lungs to take in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, plants use a process called photosynthesis and cellular respiration to obtain the gases they need.
Here's a quick overview of how plants "breathe":
Photosynthesis:
- During the day, plants use sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide from the air to produce glucose (sugar) through photosynthesis.
- In this process, plants take in carbon dioxide (CO2) through tiny pores on their leaves called stomata.
- They then use the energy from sunlight to convert the CO2 and water into glucose, releasing oxygen (O2) as a byproduct.
Cellular Respiration:
- At night or when there is no sunlight, plants undergo cellular respiration, similar to how animals breathe.
- In this process, plants take in the oxygen they released during photosynthesis and use it to break down the glucose they produced.
- This releases energy for the plant and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product, which the plant then releases back into the air through the stomata.
So in summary, plants "breathe" by pulling in carbon dioxide and releasing oxygen during photosynthesis, and then taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide during cellular respiration. This cyclic exchange of gases is essential for the plant's survival and growth.