University of Santo Tomas

Faculty of Pharmacy
Department of Pharmacy
PH 611: Pharmaceutical Botany Laboratory

Cellular Respiration- Release of Carbon Dioxide in Respiration

Joven, EM; Laserna, AE; Lavalle, SB; Lazo, JAM; Lee, JR; Librea C

Abstract: Plants are capable of respiration, a process where conversion of organic

compounds into energy produces Carbon Dioxide (CO2), water, ATP and heat. In this
study, the researchers aim to investigate the release of (CO2) in respiration. Specifically,
the researchers sought to compare the reaction of germinating Vigna radiata (mongo)
seeds, suspended inside a flask, to water and Calcium Hydroxide [Ca(OH)2] and
identify what the results indicate. After experimentation, it was revealed that the flask
containing Ca(OH)2 formed a white precipitate. On the other hand, the flask
containing distilled water did not show visible reaction. The white precipitate is Calcium
Carbonate (CaCO3). It is an indication that respiration is evident due to the reaction of
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) and Ca(OH)2, whereas CO2 was only present because of the
respiration of the Mongo seeds.

I. Introduction: III. Methodology

Respiration is defined as the
biological processes that
convert reduced organic
compounds into energy in a
series or reaction (Vasquez, et
al., 2015). In order to
understand the release of
CO2 in respiration, comparison
was done between two flasks,
each containing suspended
germinated mongo seeds.
However, one flask contains
water while the other contains
Ca(OH)2.

II. Materials
 Distilled Water
 24 germinating mongo
seeds
 2 gauzes
 Thread
 2 100 ml flask
 100 ml Ca(OH)2
 100 ml water
IV. Results and Discussion
Figure 1.0 Flask with Ca(OH)2
Figure 1.1 Flask with Ca(OH)2,
showing CaCO3
Figure 2.0 Flask with water
The flask containing Ca(OH)2
formed a white precipitate
and this indicate the
presence of CO2,, thus the
existence of respiration.
Ca(OH)2 + CO2 → CaCO3 +
H 2O
The equation above is the
chemical reaction involved.
Additionaly, CaCO3 is the
chemical formula of the white
colored precipitate (Doria
and Manansala, 2018).
Moreover, a study has proven
that Ca(OH)2 is a good
absorbent of CO2 (Han et al.,
2011).
V. Conclusion
The experiment conducted
revealed the respiration of
germinated Mongo seeds. This
was manifested through the
white precipitate formed in
the Ca(OH)2 flask. The results
indicated that respiration is
evident due to the reaction of
CO2 and Ca(OH)2, whereas
CO2 was only present
because of the respiration of
the Mongo seeds.
VI. Reference
Doria, M.C., & Manansala, M.E.
(2018). Pharmaceutical Inorganic
Chemistry (with Qualitative
Chemistry) Laboratory Manual.
Manila, Philippines: C&E
Publishing Inc.
Han, S.J., Yoo, M., Kim, D.W., &
Wee, J.H. (2011). Carbon Dioxide
Capture Using Calcium
Hydroxide Aqueous Solution as
the Absorbent. American
Chemical Society, 25(8), 3825–
3834.
https://doi.org/10.1021/ef200415
p
Vasquez, R.D., Laurente, O.S., &
Cobar, M.A.C.S. (2015).
Laboratory Manual for General
Botany. Manila, Philippines.