Module 5 Intro

1. Module 5 Intro

1.35. Page 2

Lesson 7

Module 5—Photosynthesis and Cellular Respiration

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This photo is of a seed germinating in dirt.

The germination of seeds is an example of a plant process that requires energy and oxygen. When you think of plants, you generally think about photosynthesis. But plants need energy to grow as well. When a seed germinates, it uses stored energy present within the seed to support the growth of the seedling.

During germination, cellular respiration converts energy from the carbohydrate within the seed into a form usable by the seedling cells. The chemical potential energy available from the starch and other sugars within most seeds is converted into glucose and then into ATP by the process of cellular respiration.

While cellular respiration breaks chemical bonds to release energy to produce ATP, the process also releases 64% of its energy as heat. In the following lab you will be asked to interpret collected data as evidence of oxygen consumption and heat production in germinating seeds. Research such as this opens avenues of further research which can benefit humans.