Do plants breathe? Do plants need energy?

Actually, the answer to both questions is yes. Plants create sugars through photosynthesis and then use those sugars for energy through respiration. Cell respiration changes sugars into energy for use by the cells.

Even while a seed germinates, the seed gets energy from the material in the seed, combining carbohydrates with oxygen and producing carbon dioxide.
In this lesson, you will investigate the rate of respiration of seeds at different temperatures. The apparatus allows you to measure the amount of oxygen consumed by the seeds over time.