Question

what happens when rate of respiration is more than the rate of photosynthesis

Answer 1

Respiration is a catabolic process (destructive) and Photosynthesis is a anabolic (constructive) process. In catabolic process bigger molecules are broken down into smaller molecules, like the glucose molecules are broken down into simpler units like water and Co2 as in respiration. In anabolic process like photosynthesis from simple molecules like Co2 and water, complex carbohydrate molecules are produced in plants. Both constructive and destructive process must occur in a plant for its normal growth. If respiration (destructive) over takes photosynthesis (constructive) in a plant it is starved off from the supply of food and there by it get etiolated and finally it leads to the death of the plant.