Plant respiration is the process by which plants convert glucose and oxygen into energy, carbon dioxide, and water. This process occurs in the mitochondria of plant cells and is essential for growth, reproduction, and overall health. Unlike photosynthesis, which takes place during the day, respiration occurs continuously, both day and night. During respiration, plants take in oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide as a byproduct. This exchange is crucial for maintaining the balance of gases in the atmosphere. Chlorophyll, the green pigment in plants, plays a key role in photosynthesis but is not involved in respiration.