Respiration in Plants

Plants play a very important role in their environment. They represent the main source of nutrition for all herbivores, and they are also responsible for many gaseous exchanges.

Photosynthesis is the process by which a plant converts carbon dioxide into oxygen using light. However, another gaseous exchange, called respiration, also occurs in a plant’s leaves.

During respiration, the plant takes in oxygen and releases carbon dioxide, just like humans do when they breathe. In short, this gaseous exchange is the opposite of photosynthesis.