B4.11 Plant Minerals Flashcards
As well as glucose, what else do plants need to remain healthy?
Minerals
Define minerals
Substances such as nitrates, phosphates, potassium, and magnesium compounds taken up by plants from the soil that are needed for plant growth
Without minerals, plants become unhealthy. What do they show?
Deficiency symptoms
What is the concentration of minerals in soil?
Low (lower than the concentration in the plant’s cells)
3 ways gardeners try to keep their plants healthy
- adding manure: decays slowly and releases minerals
- adding compost/rotting leaves that will decay slowly and release minerals
- addinf chemical fertilsers, which dissolve and release minerals into the soil
Why is Nitrogen (contained in nitrates) needed for plants? What is its defiench symptoms?
To make amino acids, which are used to build proteins for cell growth
Deficiency symptoms
- poor plant growth
- yellow leaves
Why is phosphorus (contained in phosphates) needed for plant growth? What is its deficiency symptoms?
Needed for respiration- to make an energy, storing molecule (ATP) which is used in growth. Also needed to make DNA molecules in cell membrane
Deficiency symptoms:
- poor root growth
- stunted plant
Discoloured purple leaves
Why is potassium needed for plant growth? What is its deficiency symptoms?
Needed by enzymes involved in photosynthesis and respiration.
Deficiency symptoms
- poor flower and fruit growth
- yellowed leaves with brown spots
Why is magnesium needed for plant growth? What is its deficiency symptoms?
Needed to make chlorophyll for photosynthesis.
Deficiency symptoms
-yellow leaves (especially lower leaves)
Define active transport
Process that can move substances across cell membranes from low concentrations to high concentrations (against the concentration gradient). Active transport uses energy and is carried out by carrier proteins in the cell membrane
