Do All Plants Use Fermentation for Energy Production?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the energy production processes in plants, specifically whether they utilize fermentation in addition to photosynthesis and cellular respiration. Participants explore the mechanisms of energy storage and release in plants, questioning the common understanding of these processes.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses surprise at the idea that plants use fermentation or cellular respiration, believing they solely rely on photosynthesis for energy.
  • Another participant clarifies that energy from photosynthesis is stored in sugars, which can then be respired to release energy.
  • There is a question about whether plants use both cellular respiration and fermentation alongside photosynthesis.
  • A participant suggests that ATP functions as a transport mechanism for energy, emphasizing its role in powering cellular processes.
  • One participant asserts that plants must use both photosynthesis and respiration, as they are opposite pathways necessary for energy management.
  • Another participant reflects on their previous understanding of the energy processes in animals versus plants, indicating a lack of awareness regarding the complexity of plant energy production.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that plants utilize both photosynthesis and respiration, but there is uncertainty regarding the role of fermentation and whether it is used consistently or only under certain conditions.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the definitions of fermentation and cellular respiration remain unresolved, and the discussion does not clarify the specific conditions under which plants might rely on fermentation.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to students studying biology, particularly those exploring plant physiology and energy production processes.

Jules18
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I was reading my lab manual, and it says "All living organisms, including protists, bacteria, and plants, create ATP in fermentation or cellular respiration and then use ATP in metabolism."
It doesn't go into any more detail than that, it just states it like it's a known fact and then moves on. But I was like... I had no idea that plants used fermentation or cellular resp., I thought they just got all their energy from photosynthesis. :/
So, since I'm pretty sure they don't use cellular resp., does anyone know what kind of fermentation they use? Do they use it all the time, or just when they don't have access to light?

~Jules~

PS. Now that I think about it, there are some plants like the Venus Flytrap that seem to ingest organic material. So do they use cellular respiration?
 
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Energy from photosynthesis is stored in sugars, which can be respired to release their energy again.
 
okay, so do plants use cellular respiration and fermentation as well as photosynthesis?
 
Think of the bonds in ATP as a transport mechanism, not a storage medium. No matter how an organism accumulates energy, it needs a way to power processes in its cells, and ATP is the molecular "rechargeable battery" that makes this happen.

The ubiquity of this molecule in living creatures is used by creationists as an argument that God must have done this purposefully. The rational argument that evolution from single-celled organisms to more complex organisms resulted in the ubiquity of ATP gets shoved under the rug.
 
Jules18 said:
okay, so do plants use cellular respiration and fermentation as well as photosynthesis?
Most definitely yes. Photosynthesis requires energy and respiration releases the energy, they are opposite pathways and a plant needs them both. What good would it do if you could only capture energy and never release it again?
 
Ooooookay.

God, I've been taking bio forever and I never realized that. I thought:
Animals = cell resp
Plants = photosynthesis
and that was it.


The ubiquity of this molecule in living creatures is used by creationists as an argument that God must have done this purposefully.

:biggrin: I love the word ubiquity.
 

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