NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants

NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants

Irshad AnwarUpdated on 16 Sep 2025, 01:48 PM IST

The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants explain how plants release energy from food. Plants use different processes, like glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and electron transport, to break down glucose and release energy in the form of ATP. All textbook questions are answered properly, so students can revise without confusion and build a strong foundation for higher studies. The NCERT Solutions help students go through the concepts step by step with clear explanations.

This Story also Contains

  1. Download Respiration in Plants NCERT Solutions PDF
  2. Get the Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants Solutions (Exercise Questions)
  3. Approach to Solve Respiration in Plants Class 11 Question Answer
  4. Important Question of NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 12
  5. What Students Learn from Respiration in Plants NCERT Solutions
  6. What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?
  7. Chapter-wise NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants

Respiration in Plants class 11 question answer helps students understand how fermentation, respiratory substrates, and respiratory quotient (RQ) play a role in energy production. It also covers the differences between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and the importance of mitochondria and enzymes. The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology make it easier for students to prepare for school exams and competitive exams like NEET.

Download Respiration in Plants NCERT Solutions PDF

This chapter explains how plants break down food to release energy, a process known as respiration. Students can download the PDF of Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants question answer for offline study.

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Get the Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants Solutions (Exercise Questions)

The questions with detailed explanations are given below. These are prepared by subject experts, following the latest NCERT curriculum to support learning. Regular practice of the Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants question answers helps in effective preparation.

Q1. Differentiate between (a) Respiration and Combustion

Answer:

Feature

Respiration

Combustion

Where it Happens

Inside living cells

Not in cells, it's a general process

What Kind of Process

A biological process

A chemical process

Energy Release

Slowly, step by step

All at once, very quickly

Energy Form

Mostly as ATP (the cell's energy currency)

No ATP is made

Needs Help From

Enzymes (special proteins)

Doesn't need enzymes

Q1. Differentiate between (b) Glycolysis and the Krebs cycle

Answer:

Feature

Glycolysis

Krebs Cycle

Where it Happens

In the cell's cytoplasm

Inside the mitochondria

Pathway Shape

A straight pathway

A circular pathway

Needs Oxygen?

Happens with or without oxygen

Needs oxygen to work

What it Does

Breaks down glucose into pyruvate

Breaks down pyruvate into CO2 and water

Uses/Makes ATP

Uses a little ATP to get started

Generates 1 GTP (or ATP) per turn; also produces 3 NADH and 1 FADH2 per acetyl-CoA

Q1. Differentiate between (c) Aerobic respiration and Fermentation

Answer:

Feature

Aerobic Respiration

Fermentation

Where it Happens

Inside cells.

It can happen inside or outside cells.

Economic Use

Not used to making things in the industry.

Used to make things like wine and bread.

How it Works

Uses oxygen to break down stuff.

Breaks down nutrients without using oxygen.

Q2. What are respiratory substrates? Name the most common respiratory substrate.

Answer: Respiratory substrates are those organic compounds which, during respiration, are oxidised for the release of energy within living cells. Examples of common respiratory substrates are carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and organic acids. The most frequent respiratory substrate is carbohydrates.

Q3. Give the schematic representation of glycolysis.

Answer: The flowchart of glycolysis is as follows:

Glycolysis

Q4. What are the main steps in aerobic respiration? Where does it take place?

Answer: The key steps of aerobic respiration are as follows:

  1. Glycolysis- Cytoplasm

  2. Krebs cycle- Matrix of mitochondria

  3. Electron transport system- Inner mitochondrial membrane

  4. Oxidative phosphorylation- Oxysome in the inner mitochondrial membrane.

Q5. Give the schematic representation of an overall view of Krebs cycle

Answer: Schematic representation of the Krebs cycle

Krebs Cycle

Q7. Distinguish between the following: (a) Aerobic respiration and Anaerobic respiration

Answer: The difference between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration is given below:

Feature

Aerobic Respiration

Anaerobic Respiration

Gas Exchange

It involves the exchange of gases.

The exchange of gases is absent.

Oxygen Use

It uses oxygen to break down the respiratory material into simple substances.

It does not use oxygen for the breakdown of respiratory substrates.

Breakdown of Material

The respiratory material is completely broken.

The respiratory material is partially broken.

Electron Transport

It involves electron transport.

Electron transport is absent.

Q7. Distinguish between the following: (b) Glycolysis and Fermentation

Answer: The difference between Glycolysis and Fermentation is given below:

Feature

Glycolysis

Fermentation

Oxygen

It is the first step of respiration, which occurs without the requirement of oxygen and is common to both aerobic and anaerobic modes of respiration.

It is anaerobic respiration, or respiration that does not require oxygen.

Product

Glycolysis produces pyruvic acid.

Fermentation produces different products such as ethanol and lactic acid.

NADH Production

It produces two molecules of NADH per glucose molecule.

It uses NADH produced during glycolysis.

Q7. Distinguish between the following: (c) Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle

Answer: The difference between Glycolysis and the Citric Acid Cycle is given below:

Feature

Glycolysis

Citric Acid Cycle

Location

It takes place inside the cytoplasm

It takes place in mitochondria

Function

It is the first step of respiration in which glucose is broken down to the level of pyruvate.

It is the second step of respiration, wherein an active acetyl group is broken down completely

Q8. What are the assumptions made during the calculation of the net gain of ATP?

Answer: The assumptions used while calculating the net gain of ATP are as follows:

  1. It is supposed that different steps of aerobic respiration, like glycolysis, the TCA cycle, and the ETS, follow one after the other in a regular pathway.

  2. The NADH formed during glycolysis is transported into the mitochondria to undergo oxidative phosphorylation.

  3. The glucose molecule is taken to be the sole substrate, and it is assumed that no other molecule goes into the pathway at intermediate stages.

  4. The intermediates formed in respiration are not used for any other purpose.

Q9. Discuss "The respiratory pathway is an amphibolic pathway."

Answer: The respiratory pathway is amphibolic because it includes both the breakdown (catabolism) and the synthesis (anabolism) of molecules. Carbohydrates, fats, and proteins are broken into their simpler forms, such as glucose, fatty acids, glycerol, and amino acids, before respiration. Molecules of the respiratory pathway, such as acetyl-CoA, are also utilised for the synthesis of fatty acids and proteins.

Q10. Define RQ. What is its value for fats?

Answer:

The respiratory quotient (RQ) is defined as the ratio of the volume of CO2 evolved to the volume of O2 consumed during respiration. The value of the respiratory quotient depends on the type of respiratory substrate. The value of RQ for various respiratory substrates is as follows:

  • Carbohydrates: 1

  • Fats: 0.7

  • Organic acids: slightly more than 1

  • Proteins: approximately 0.8

Q11. What is oxidative phosphorylation?

Answer: Oxidative phosphorylation is the process of generating ATP through the use of energy released from respiration during the oxidation of NADH and FADH2. The process is facilitated by the presence of the enzyme ATP synthase, which is a component of the electron transport system (ETS). In this process, oxidation-reduction reactions build up a proton gradient. There are two components of ATP synthase: F0 and F1. The F0 component is located in the membrane and has a passage for protons, whereas the F1 component is where ADP and inorganic phosphate are converted into ATP. One ATP molecule is produced for every two protons passing through the F0-F1 complex.

Q12. What is the significance of step-wise release of energy in respiration?

Answer: The respiration process occurs stepwise, involving steps such as glycolysis, the TCA cycle, ETS, and oxidative phosphorylation. The synthesis of ATP during respiration is also in every phase. The products obtained in one step of respiration serve as the substrate of the other pathway. Different molecules generated during respiration are also engaged in other biochemical processes. Various respiratory substrates enter and leave the pathway when needed. The ATP also gets used wherever needed, and the rate of reactions of enzymes is also regulated. Hence, step-by-step release of energy increases the efficiency of the system in extracting as well as storing energy.

NCERT Solutions for Class 11: Subject-wise

Approach to Solve Respiration in Plants Class 11 Question Answer

Given below are a few steps that students can follow to answer the questions effectively.

  • Students should begin by understanding the important processes. It includes glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport chain.

  • They should focus on the difference between aerobic and anaerobic respiration and the role of ATP. Students can use the Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants question answer for clarity.

  • The flowchart can be used to remember the sequence of reactions and their reagents.

  • Solving the exemplar questions will give an advanced approach to the chapter. Regular revision of the Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants Solutions will improve understanding.

  • The NCERT Solutions for Class 11 have all the solved exercise questions. All the answers are to the point and have the necessary information.

Check the NCERT Books and NCERT Syllabus here:

Important Question of NCERT Class 11 Biology Chapter 12

The solutions are designed to make learning easier for students. Below is an important question from this chapter. For more such questions, students can refer to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants.

Q1. What is the end product of oxidative phosphorylation?

Options:

1. NADH

2. Oxygen

3. ADP

4. ATP + H2O

Answer:

Oxidative phosphorylation occurs in mitochondria, using the electron transport chain to create a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis; it releases chemical energy by oxidizing nutrients.

Hence, the correct answer is option (4) ATP + H2O

What Students Learn from Respiration in Plants NCERT Solutions

Respiration is the process through which living organisms release energy from food molecules. This chapter explains how plants break down glucose to obtain energy for various life activities.

  1. Students understand the process of glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and the electron transport system in detail.

  2. The Respiration in Plants class 11 question answer helps them to differentiate between aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

  3. They learn how energy is stored and released in the form of ATP molecules.

  4. Students explore the role of mitochondria and enzymes in cellular respiration through Respiration in Plants NCERT Solutions.

  5. They also study how the respiratory quotient (RQ) varies with different respiratory substrates.

What Extra Should Students Study Beyond the NCERT for NEET?

Studying concepts beyond the NCERT will help in improving knowledge for competitive exams like NEET. Some extra concepts that can be studied are given below in the table. Along with these concepts, students should practice the diagrams given in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: How is electron transport system (ETS) involved in plant respiration?
A:

The electron transport system (ETS) is crucial in aerobic respiration, occurring in the mitochondrial inner membrane. It uses electrons from NADH and FADH₂ to generate a proton gradient, which drives ATP synthesis through oxidative phosphorylation.

Q: What are the important topics covered in NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12?
A:

The important topics covered in the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants include:

  • Do Plants Breathe?
  • Glycolysis
  • Fermentation
  • Aerobic Respiration
  • The Respiratory Balance Sheet
  • Amphibolic Pathway
  • Respiratory Quotient.
Q: What is glycolysis, and where does it occur in plant cells?
A:

Glycolysis is the process by which glucose is converted into pyruvate. It occurs in the cytoplasm of plant cells and is a common pathway for both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. Students can refer to the NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Biology Chapter 12 Respiration in Plants for detailed explanation. 

Q: How does the mitochondria function as the powerhouse of the cell in plants?
A:

Mitochondria are the powerhouses of the cell because they generate most of the ATP during aerobic respiration through the Krebs cycle and electron transport chain.

Q: How does aerobic and anaerobic respiration differ in plants?
A:

Aerobic respiration in plants occurs in the presence of oxygen, fully oxidizing glucose into CO₂ and H₂O, primarily in mitochondria, with a high energy output. Anaerobic respiration occurs without oxygen, partially breaking down glucose into ethanol and CO₂, mainly in the cytoplasm, with a lower energy output.

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