Question

Where does respiration take place in woody plants?

• A. Phloem tissue
• B. Peripheral tissue
• C. Lenticles
• D. Xylem tissues

Hint:

Lenticels are vital for the respiration of woody plants, particularly in the bark where other forms of gas exchange are limited.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

In woody plants, respiration takes place primarily at the lenticels. Lenticels are small pores in the bark that allow the exchange of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide. This gas exchange is essential for cellular respiration, which occurs in plant tissues to produce energy.

(1) Lenticels:
- Lenticels provide a pathway for oxygen to enter the plant and for carbon dioxide to exit, which are critical for aerobic respiration in non-photosynthetic cells of the plant, particularly in woody tissues.

(2) Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- Phloem tissue (Option 1) is involved in transporting sugars and other metabolic products but not directly in respiration.
- Peripheral tissue (Option 2) is a general term and does not specifically refer to the structures responsible for respiration.
- Xylem tissues (Option 4) are responsible for transporting water and minerals but do not participate in respiration.

Conclusion: Respiration in woody plants primarily occurs at the lenticels, which facilitate gas exchange for cellular respiration.