Class 11 Biology — Chapter 12: RESPIRATION IN PLANTS
Chapter 12: RESPIRATION IN PLANTS is a chapter in Class 11 Biology (NCERT), part of the CBSE NCERT curriculum followed by over 25 million students across India. This chapter covers 8 topics including Introduction to Cellular Respiration, Glycolysis (EMP Pathway), Fermentation. BrainWeave provides free AI-powered explanations — by voice or text, in Hindi or English — with no signup required.
What you'll learn
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▸Introduction to Cellular Respirationcellular respirationrespiratory substratesATPoxidationenergy currency
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▸Glycolysis (EMP Pathway)Core conceptglycolysisEMP pathwaypyruvic acidcytoplasmpartial oxidation
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▸FermentationCore conceptfermentationanaerobic respirationalcoholic fermentationlactic acid fermentationincomplete oxidation
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▸Aerobic RespirationCore conceptaerobic respirationKrebs' cycleTCA cyclemitochondriaelectron transport system
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▸The Respiratory Balance SheetCore conceptATP calculationnet gainbalance sheetglucose oxidationenergy yield
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▸Amphibolic Pathwayamphiboliccatabolismanabolismbiosynthesisrespiratory intermediates
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▸Respiratory Quotient (RQ)respiratory quotientRQCO2 evolvedO2 consumedrespirometer
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▸Gaseous Exchange in Plantsstomatalenticelsgas exchangediffusionplant respiration
Chapter Summary
Understand the core concept of cellular respiration as the mechanism of breaking down complex food molecules within cells to release energy, and trapping this energy for the synthesis of ATP.
Learn the ten-step process of glycolysis, where one molecule of glucose is partially broken down in the cytoplasm to form two molecules of pyruvic acid. This includes understanding the energy investment and energy generation phases, and the net production of ATP and NADH.
Understand the fate of pyruvic acid under anaerobic conditions. Differentiate between alcoholic fermentation (in yeast) which produces ethanol and CO2, and lactic acid fermentation (in muscles, bacteria) which produces lactic acid, and recognize the low energy yield of these processes.
Describe the complete oxidation of pyruvic acid into CO2 and water in the presence of oxygen. This process occurs in the mitochondria and involves two major stages: the Krebs' cycle (TCA cycle) and the Electron Transport System (ETS).
Calculate the theoretical net gain of ATP molecules from the complete oxidation of one molecule of glucose. This involves summing the ATP produced during glycolysis, the Krebs' cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation via the Electron Transport System.
Explain why the respiratory pathway is considered an amphibolic pathway, as it involves both catabolism (breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins) and anabolism (synthesis of precursors for other biomolecules).
Define the Respiratory Quotient (RQ) as the ratio of the volume of CO2 evolved to the volume of O2 consumed in respiration. Understand how the RQ value differs for various substrates like carbohydrates, fats, and proteins.
Explain how plants facilitate gas exchange through structures like stomata and lenticels, and why they do not require specialized respiratory organs like animals.
Practice Questions from this Chapter
Tap "Get Solution" on any question to ask our AI tutor.
- Compare plant and animal respiration. Get Solution →
- Explain how plants get energy. Get Solution →
- Describe ATP's role in cells. Get Solution →
- What is the process of breaking C-C bonds of complex compounds within a cell to release energy called? Get Solution →
- According to the text, where in a eukaryotic cell does glycolysis occur? Get Solution →
- What is the common term for the compounds that are oxidised during the process of respiration? Get Solution →
- Which molecule acts as the 'energy currency of the cell'? Get Solution →
- Besides stomata, what other structures do plants use for gaseous exchange? Get Solution →
Did you know?
- 💡 Some desert plants breathe mostly at night to conserve precious water during the day.
- 💡 Your body cycles through its entire weight in ATP energy every single day.
- 💡 Early Earth had no oxygen, so the first living things respired completely without it.
- 💡 A single sugar molecule can fuel a human's strenuous activity for a few seconds.
- 💡 Yeast 'breathes' out carbon dioxide, making bread rise and creating bubbles in drinks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many topics are covered in this chapter?
This chapter covers 8 key topics: Introduction to Cellular Respiration, Glycolysis (EMP Pathway), Fermentation, Aerobic Respiration, The Respiratory Balance Sheet, and more. The BrainWeave AI tutor explains each one with examples.
Is Chapter 12: RESPIRATION IN PLANTS important for board exams?
Class 11 is a foundation year. Mastering this chapter now will help you build strong fundamentals for the higher classes.
Can I get NCERT solutions for this chapter in Hindi?
Yes. BrainWeave's AI tutor supports Hindi, English, and Hinglish for both voice and text chat. Just ask your question in your preferred language.
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Can I use voice chat for this chapter?
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