Imagine a race car idling at the start line. It's not speeding down the track, yet its engine is quietly burning fuel to keep the core systems running. Plants work the same way. This life-sustaining engine is calledrespiration.

Core Mechanism: More Than Just "Gas Exchange"

• Biochemical Nature: Respiration is not simply about taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. It is a "controlled burn"enzymesguided bymitochondriainside the
• The Hidden Dancer: Because plants don't have a rising and falling chest like animals, their respiration is often masked by vigorous photosynthesis. Yet, every living cell — in roots, stems, leaves, and seeds — keeps "igniting" throughout its entire life cycle.
• Scientific Evidence: Through demonstration experiments, we can turn invisible energy flow into observable physical changes, such as the temperature rise in germinating seeds or limewater turning cloudy.