Exercise 13

Respiration
I.

Introduction
Plants can take in energy through the process of photosynthesis and store this energy in
molecules of carbohydrates. This energy will used by the cell to carry out its biological
processes. Energy is made available through the process of cellular respiration. Cellular
respiration, which occurs in the mitochondria, is the breaking down of food molecules to
release energy in the form of ATP. It requires sugars and oxygen while it produces carbon
dioxide, water and energy. Respiration consists of three phases called Glycolysis, Citric Acid
Cycle and Oxidative Phosphorylation.
In this experiment, we observed the use of oxygen, the production of heat energy and carbon
dioxide using germinating seeds and indicators such as phenol red and bromthymol blue.
Hypothesis
Amount of oxygen, temperature and amount of carbon dioxide are important factors that can
affect cellular respiration.
Objectives
1. To observe, prove and understand how oxygen is used up by the plant during respiration
2. To determine the cause of heat production in germinating seeds
3. To observe, prove and understand how carbon dioxide is produced during respiration

II.

Results

Set-up
A

Table 1: Use of Oxygen

Description
Result
Germinating mungbean The phenol red changed
seeds
into a lighter, yellowish
color (results not so
evident due to short
experimentation period)
Occurrence of a precipitate
Cotton turned into red
Became moist
Killed Seeds
No changes occured

Table 2: Production of Heat Energy

Set Up
A
B

Description
Germinating
Seeds
Dry Seeds

Start
28

Temperature
30 min
29

1 hour
29.5

29

30

30

Table 3: Production of Carbon Dioxide

Set-up
Description
Result
A
Soaked seeds
Bromthymol blue turned
into a lighter color
III.

Discussion
A. Use of Oxygen
The change in color
Germinating seeds used oxygen and underwent respiration thus
producing carbon dioxide. Carbon dioxide mixed with water forming
carbonic acid. The change in color of the phenol red to lighter yellowish
color indicated an acidic solution.

Occurrence of precipitate
Potassium hydroxide absorbed the carbon dioxide released producing
K2CO3 which is the precipitate.

Cotton turned into red

Cotton turned into red indicated the transport of water from the other
container to the container with seeds. Since potassium hydroxide
absorbed carbon dioxide, the use of oxygen by the seeds led to a decrease
of gas volume and for the water in the other container to move to the
container with seeds.

B. Production of Heat Energy

Increase in temperature in set-up with Germinating seeds
The increase in the temperature indicated the occurrence of cellular
respiration in the Germinating seeds. During respiration, ATP is produced
in the form of heat energy.
C. Production of Carbon Dioxide
Change in color of Bromthymol blue
Seeds underwent respiration producing carbon dioxide which was
indicated by the change of color of the Bromthymol blue (turned yellogreen). Carbon dioxide reacted with water turning into carbonic acid
which led to the acidity of the solution causing the Bromthymol blue (a
pH indicator) to change color.

Respiration is the process that breaks down compounds to produce energy in the form of ATP. It
uses oxygen and glucose to produce carbon dioxide, water and energy. Respiration in plants is
affected by several factors like the amount of oxygen, carbon dioxide and temperature. There are
two types of respiration namely, aerobic and anaerobic. Aerobic respiration requires the presence
of oxygen while anaerobic respiration does not. Examples of cells undergoing aerobic respiration
are plant and animal cells and examples of cells undergoing anaerobic respiration are muscle cells
and yeast.

IV.

References
Miller, K.R. and Levine, J.S. 2006. Biology. Prentice Hall.
boyles.sdsmt.edu
www. carolina.com
answers.yahoo.com
http://www.tutorvista.com/content/biology/