Question

Experiment to prove that carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in germinating seeds.

Answer 1

1. Put some germinating seeds in a conical flask.
   
2. The conical flask is fitted to a delivery tube bent twice at right angles by means of cork.
   
3. Suspend a small test tube containing 20% potassium hydroxide.
   
4. Dip the free end of the bent tube in a beaker of coloured water.
5. Leave it for a day. Note the changes.
   
6. The germinating seeds respires aerobically by utilizing the oxygen in the flask.
   
7. Carbon dioxide released during the aerobic respiration is absorbed by potassium hydroxide and creates a vacuum and causes rise of water in the bent tube.
   
8. If we put a burning candle in the setup, the candle extinguishes which proves oxygen is utilized by germinating seed for respiration.