Which process requires oxygen to take place in plants?

The process that requires oxygen to take place in plants is cellular respiration. Cellular respiration is a metabolic process in which cells convert glucose and oxygen into energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), carbon dioxide, and water. This process is crucial for providing the energy needed for various cellular activities and functions, including growth and maintenance.

In cellular respiration, oxygen serves as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, allowing the cell to efficiently produce ATP. This process occurs in the mitochondria of the plant cells, highlighting the dependency on oxygen to yield energy effectively.

While photosynthesis is essential for producing glucose and occurs in the presence of light, it does not use oxygen but instead releases oxygen as a byproduct. Transpiration is the process of water vapor loss from plant surfaces and does not involve energy conversion or require oxygen. Fermentation, on the other hand, is an anaerobic process that occurs in the absence of oxygen, allowing organisms, including some plants under certain conditions, to convert glucose into energy without it.

Therefore, cellular respiration is the critical oxygen-dependent process in plants that distinguishes it from the other processes listed.