Question

The breathing organ in plants is
A. Lungs
B. Stomata
C. Gills
D. Seeds

Answer 1

Hint: Leaves are the most important part of a plant that performs various functions including the breathing mechanism via certain specialized cells.

Complete answer
In the epidermis of the leaves, a small pore is present which is known as stoma or stomata. These organs facilitate the gaseous exchange in the plants and acts as the organs of breathing in plants.

Additional information
- The leaves are the kitchen of the plants where the food is synthesized by the process of photosynthesis.
- Leaves also help in removing excess water from plants through the process of transpiration.
- The leaves consist of stomata having a pore bordered by specialized cells called guard cells which helps in opening and closing of the stomata.
- Through stomata, air enters the plants by gaseous exchange, which contains carbon dioxide and oxygen.
- Carbon dioxide is used in the process of photosynthesis while oxygen is used in respiration.
- The stomata differ according to the plant species, the dicotyledons have numerous stomata in comparison to the monocotyledons.
- Monocotyledons have the same number of stomata on both the upper and lower surface of the leaves.
- In aquatic plants, stomata are present mostly on the upper surface of the leaves.
So, the correct answer is ‘Stomata’.

Note: Stomata was discovered by Pfeffer and named by Malphigii. It is present mostly in the aerial parts of the plants and is absent in the submerged plants because in the presence of sunlight only the stomata open which are mostly during the day time and close at night.