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define respiration in higherand lower plants?
Aerobic respiration can be defined as the process of energy transfer that the cells utilize to convert organic molecules into chemical energy. The chemical reactions involved in aerobic respiration are more or less analogous to the chemical reactions proceeding in the oxidation of organic substances, but no ATP will be generated instead energy will be generated in the form of energy and heat.Most of plants and animal cells respire aerobically, that is, in the presence of oxygen. However, there are certain microbes that respire in the absence of free oxygen. This respiration is called anaerobic respiration. It is also called fermentation. Among plants, it takes place in yeast, bacteria such as E.coli, Clostridium tetani, etc.
In respiration, plants (and animals) convert the sugars (photosynthates) back into
energy for growth and other life processes (metabolic processes). The chemical
equation for respiration shows that the photosynthates are combined with oxygen
releasing energy, carbon dioxide, and water. A simple chemical equation for
respiration is given below. Notice that the equation for respiration is the opposite
of that for photosynthesis.
glucose + oxygen = energy + carbon dioxide + water
C6H12O6 + 6O2 = energy + 6CO2 + 6H2O 
In lower plants (and also protozoans) exchange of gases takes place through the general body surface as they are not highly modified or specialised. Also, the body surface allows the diffusion of gases. In higher plants the exchange of gases takes place through stomata.


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