Respiration in Plants – Solutions

1. What are respiratory substrates? Name the most common respiratory substrate.

Solution:

The compounds that are oxidised during the process of respiration to produce energy are called respiratory substrate.

Carbohydrates and fats are the major components in food, which are oxidised to produce energy. Glucose is the most common respiratory substrate. Under some special conditions (like starvation), amino acids can also be oxidised to produce energy.

2. What are the main steps in aerobic respiration? Where does it take place?

Solution:

Aerobic respiration is an enzyme-driven process consisting of the following steps:

a. Glycolysis: It occurs in the cytoplasm where a molecule of glucose is

broken down into two molecules of pyruvate.