Vaishali Institute Research Bulletin 6

Author(s): L C Jain
Publisher: Research Institute of Prakrit Jainology & Ahimsa Mujjaffarpur

Page 254

Properties, Structure & Functions of Plant in Jaina Agamic Works
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the surrounding medium. Plants need vast quantity of airl to carry on photosynthesis, for air contains cabron-dioxide. Plants generally grow better in air with higher carbon dioxide content."2
Cellular Respiration of Plants The taking of air (vāyušariram) by plants suggests that the cellular respiration of plants which is the series of enzymic reactions utilizes ucchvāsavāyu (oxygen) and releases niņśvāsavāyu (carbon dioxide ?) from the liquid substance (siņeha) to the forms of biological useful energy. These occur in green plants as they do in every living cell.
The Skeletal System of Plants
Plants have no separate skeletal system for support as many animals do. At the simplest level, the saivālas (algae)? which are almost entirely aquatic have little need for specialized skeletal structures, for their bodies are generally small and supported by the water. The land plants do need some structure strong enough to hold leaves in position to receive sunlight. This has been achieved in two major ways :
1. Sūtrakstānga, II. 3.43. (Váyusaripam).
Te jivā āhāremti...... (Vāyusariram) ?" 2. Biology, p. 97, C. A. Ville.
Sūtrakstānga, II. 3.43. 4. Te jivā āhåremti...... vāyusariram,
Sūtrakrtānga 11. 3.43. Sarirocchväsaniḥśvāsāhāraḥ sādharanah khalu I
Lokaprakāśa 5.75, p. 361. Müle sikteşu výkşeşu phalādiņu rasaḥ sphuţaḥ | sa coechväsamantarena kathamurdhvaṁ prasarpati //32// Rasaprasarpanam spaștam gatyucchvase asmadadisu / Tadabhäve tadabhävo dpstasca mộtakādişu // Prāņāpānavucchvāsanihávāskļyālaksaņau 1/33/1
Loka prakāśa, 5.32, 33. Navatattvaprakaraņa, p. 14. 6. Lokaprakāśa, 5.75. p. 361. Prāņāpânavucchvāsaniḥśvasakriyalaksanau /"
Navatattvaprakarana, p. 14. 7. Sūtrakstānga II. 3.54. 8. "Pudhavijoņiyā rukkha”, Ibid.