Question

As compared to daytime, the amount of carbon dioxide released by the plants during night is more because :

• A. It is not produced during daytime.
• B. It is stored in the leaves of plants during daytime.
• C. Major amount of carbon dioxide produced is used up for photosynthesis during daytime.
• D. Plants do not respire during daytime.

Hint:

Plants respire all the time but photosynthesis happens only in sunlight — this balances CO$_2$ levels.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Plants respire throughout the day and night. During respiration, they produce carbon dioxide. However, during daytime, photosynthesis takes place in the presence of sunlight. In this process, plants use up the carbon dioxide produced during respiration to make food. As a result, the net carbon dioxide released is less during the day. At night, photosynthesis stops due to the absence of sunlight, but respiration continues. So, the carbon dioxide produced during respiration is not used up and is released into the atmosphere, making the release of CO$_2$ higher at night.