Question

What is the experiment to prove that carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in germinating seeds.

Answer 1

Hint: Carbon dioxide is released during aerobic respiration. As the germinating seeds respire aerobically, they release carbon dioxide. This can be proven by performing tests that can prove the release of carbon dioxide.

Complete answer:

Steps involved in experiment: 

- In a conical flask, put some germinating seeds.

- This conical flask is fitted using a cork to a delivery tube which is bent twice at right angles.

- Suspend a small test tube that contains a 20% potassium hydroxide solution.

- Now, dip the free end of the bent tube into a beaker containing colored water and leave it for a day to note the changes.

- You will see a rise in the water level inside the bent tube.

- The germinating seeds respire aerobically and use up the oxygen present in the flask.

- The carbon dioxide that is released during aerobic respiration is absorbed by the potassium hydroxide solution and this creates a vacuum that causes a rise of water inside the bent tube.

- If a burning candle is introduced into the setup, the candle extinguishes.

- Thus, we can prove that carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in germinating seeds. 

Figure: This experiment shows that carbon dioxide is produced during respiration in germinating seeds

Note:

- Another method to confirm the observation is that, instead of using Potassium hydroxide to absorb the produced gases, the gas can be passed through a freshly prepared lime solution.

- The lime solution is quickly turned to white color, which also proves the release of carbon dioxide gas.