Journal of Biological Education
By Treagust, David
“Diagnosing Secondary Students’ Misconceptions of Photosynthesis and Respiration in Plants Using a Two-Tier Multiple Choice Instrument”
Publisher: Researchgate
102(3)
Pp. 203-211
1987
Diagnosing Secondary Students’ Misconceptions of Photosynthesis and Respiration in Plants Using a Two-Tier Multiple Choice Instrument
Type: Empirical
Data collection method: Test
Number of subjects, range: Large — 31 or more
Grade and age of subjects: 6th-8th grade — under 13-14 years, 9th-12 grade — under 17-18 years

  • Respiration in green plants takes place only during the day. 
  • Respiration does not take place in the presence of light energy.
  • Carbon dioxide gas is given off in largest amounts by green plants in the presence of sunlight.
  • Photosynthesis occurs in green plants all time. 
  • Photosynthesis can occur when there is no light energy.
  • Carbon dioxide is used in respiration which only occurs in green plants when there is no light energy for photosynthesis.
  • Green plant makes their food from oxygen gas in the presence of light energy.
  • Respiration in plants place in the cells of leave only since  leaves have special pores to exchange gases. 
  • Respiration in green plants is a chemical process to obtain energy which occurs in plant cells but not in animal cells.
  • Respiration in green plants provides energy to live and is a chemical process by which plants manufacture food from water  and carbon dioxide.
  •  Respiration in green plants  is taking in of carbon dioxide off of oxygen through plants 
  • Green plants respire only at night (when there is no light energy).
  • In the process of respiration, carbon dioxide  and water are used by the green plants  to produce energy during which time glucose and oxygen waste are produced.
  • The green pigment call chlorophyll combines with the carbon dioxide  the presence of light energy and produces glucose  and water.
  • Non green plants like fungi which do not contain chlorophyll  or similar pigment can also photosynthesize.
  • The most important benefits to green plants when they photosynthesize is the production of energy for the growth. The most  important benefit to plants when they photosynthesize  is the removal of carbon dioxide from the air through leaf stomatas.
  • Respiration takes place in all plants only when there is no light energy and in all animals all the time.