Question

Which part of the plants respire slowly?

• A. Vegetative buds
• B. Germinating seeds
• C. Tip of stem
• D. Adult organs

Answer 1

The correct option is D

Adult organs

The correct option is (D):

Explanation of the correct option:

1. Adult organs like stem, leaves, and roots respire at a slower pace than other plant parts.
2. They exchange gases and fulfill their energy requirements separately; stem by lenticels, leaves by stomata and roots by air gaps/spaces found between the soil particles.
3. As they are fully matured, their energy requirements are not high and show lower rates of respiration.

Explanation of the incorrect options:
Option (A):

1. Vegetative buds are growing parts and need more energy to divide and develop into leafy shoots.
2. Therefore, they respire at a faster rate.

Option (B):

1. The embryos of germinating seeds require more energy to develop into a new plant.
2. Hence, they show higher rates of respiration.

Option (C):

1. The growing tip of the stem consists of meristematic cells which need more energy to increase the plant length.
2. Therefore, they respire quickly.

Final answer: Adult organs respire slowly.