Biology

Thinking Plants Do Not Respire

Believing plants only photosynthesize and never carry out respiration.

Quick check

Why students make it

Photosynthesis is taught as the plant process, so respiration seems like an animal-only activity.

The rule done right

Plants respire all the time, day and night, to release energy from sugars. In daylight they also photosynthesize, and that usually outpaces respiration.

Related resources

biologyrespirationphotosynthesis