In order to study and prove a particular physiological process in plants, the following experiment was set up. Study the same and then answer the questions that follow:

(a) Name the physiological process being studied.

(b) What is the function of soda lime in the bottle 'A' and why is limewater placed in bottle 'B'?

(c) What change would you expect to observe in bottle 'D'?

(d) Represent the physiological process named in (a) above in the form of a chemical equation.

(e) In order to obtain accurate results, the bottle ‘C’ should be covered with a piece of black cloth. Why?

(f) If bottle 'C' was fitted with a 3-holed rubber stopper and a thermometer were introduced in such a way that its bulb reaches close to the germinating seeds, what would you observe? Why?

(a) The experiment demonstrates that carbon dioxide is produced during the process of respiration in germinating seeds.

(b) Soda lime is placed in bottle ‘A’ as it indicates the passage/presence of Carbon dioxide in bottle A. Another property of soda lime is that is absorbs Carbon dioxide that is present in the air. The clear limewater in bottle B indicates that the air that enters the flask C is free from Carbon dioxide.

(c) The bottle D holding limewater should indicate that carbon dioxide is produced as a result of respiration occurring in bottle ‘C’ possessing the germinating seeds. As carbon dioxide is produced in the bottle C, limewater turns milky that enters the bottle 'D'.

(d) The chemical reaction is as written below:
C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + 38ATP (energy)

(e) The bottle 'C' is covered with a black cloth in order to restrict any chance of photosynthesis so as to make sure the process of respiration only is carried out and observed.

(f) A thermometer is inserted in bottle C to observe the changes in temperature. Respiration causes the temperature to rise, if there is no respiration, the temperature will not rise.