Do plants give off heat during respiration?

Answer 1

Respiration is the process by which plants take in oxygen and give out carbon dioxide. As shown in Figure 4.5, oxygen from the air breaks down carbohydrates in the plant into carbon dioxide and water. This reaction produces energy in the form of heat.

Respiration is a basic reaction of all plant material, both in the field and after harvest. It is a continuing process in the growing plant as long as the leaves continue to make carbohydrates, and cannot be stopped without damage to the growing plant or harvested produce.

Fresh produce cannot replace carbohydrates or water after harvest. Respiration uses stored starch or sugar and will stop when reserves of these are exhausted; ageing follows and the produce dies and decays......Effect of air supply on respiration. Respiration depends on a good air supply. Air contains about 20 percent of the oxygen essential to normal plant respiration, during which starch and sugars are converted to carbon dioxide and water vapour. When the air supply is restricted and the amount of available oxygen in the environment falls to about 2 percent or less, fermentation instead of respiration occurs. Fermentation breaks down sugars to alcohol and carbon dioxide, and the alcohol produced causes unpleasant flavours in produce and promotes premature ageing..................................................The effect of carbon dioxide on respiration. Poor ventilation of produce because of restricted air supply leads also to the accumulation of carbon dioxide around the produce. When the concentration of this gas rises to between I and 5 percent in the atmosphere, it will quickly ruin produce by causing bad flavours, internal breakdown, failure of fruit to ripen and other abnormal physiological conditions. Thus, the proper ventilation of produce is essential...........

Answer 2

Yes, through evapotranspiration.

Answer 3

Yes, they do.

Answer 4

yes