Biology Help. I missed lab can anyone help with this question?

Question

If germinating or non-germinating peas respire what happens to the production of oxygen and carbon dioxide?

Answer 1

Respiration always produces CO2.

A germinating seed will be consuming energy to grow, so will produce much more CO2 than a dormant, non-germinating seed.

Answer 2

For germinating Peas:  The respiration process is at high levels as the seed needs energy to develop into a seedling, producing root and shoot. It takes water and oxygen  from the environment and takes glucose(from starch and other stored metabolites) which is stored in the cotyledons.  During respiration CO2 is released to the environment.  Once the seedling is formed and it gives out cotyledonary green leaves it starts producing its own food.  Till that time only respiration takes place.

For non germinating peas: The seeds do not need much energy. The seeds are called as dormant.  So the respiration is at a very low level, therefore the release of CO2 is also very low.