The following diagram refers to an apparatus which is used to demonstrate a physiological process:
(a) What is the purpose of keeping potassium hydroxide solution in test tubes X and Y?
(b) Why has the coloured water risen in tubing 1?
(c) What is the purpose of keeping boiled peas soaked in a disinfectant in test tube Y?
(d) Name the biological process which causes the above rise.
(e) Define the biological process shown in the experiment.
(a) Potassium hydroxide solution is kept in test tube X and Y to check the presence of CO2, as KOH can absorb CO2, if it is produced.
(b) When the process of respiration takes place in test tube X, the O2 present in the test tube is consumed. The CO2 produced due to respiration is absorbed by the KOH present in the test tube. Hence, a space is developed due to consumption of oxygen and hence, the coloured water rises in tubing 1.
(c) In test tube Y, boiled peas soaked in disinfectant are kept because the boiled seeds are dead and cannot respire. Therefore, the process of respiration does not take place in test tube Y.
(d) Respiration is the cause of the above rise.
(e) The catabolic process of releasing energy from simple sugars for carrying out life processes is called respiration.
