Lesson 4 - Plants And Nutrient Absorption Flashcards
What is the role of xylem in plants?
Xylem vessels are involved in the movement of water and minerals through a plant from its roots to its leaves.
What are stomata?
Stomata are pores in the underside of leaves that allow carbon dioxide to diffuse in for photosynthesis.
What happens to water vapor when stomata are open?
Water vapor diffuses out of the leaf.
What is the function of guard cells?
Guard cells open the stomata when they are swollen with water and close them when they contain little water.
List three essential minerals needed by plants.
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus
- Magnesium
What occurs if crops are harvested without replacing soil minerals?
Without fertiliser, next year’s crops will not grow properly.
How do plants absorb mineral ions?
Mineral ions are absorbed from the soil through root hair cells.
Fill in the blank: Water is transported throughout the plant in the _______.
[xylem vessels]
What is the significance of lignin in xylem cells?
Lignin provides structural support and strength to xylem cells.
What is transpiration?
Transpiration is the process of water movement through a plant and its evaporation from aerial parts.
Describe the transpiration stream.
Water is drawn up in the transpiration stream as a result of cohesive forces between water molecules.
What happens to water pressure in the xylem as water is lost from the top?
Pressure at the top of the xylem tube is reduced by water loss.
What deficiency causes yellow leaves and poor growth in plants?
Nitrate deficiency.
What is the effect of magnesium deficiency on plants?
Plants with too little magnesium cannot make chlorophyll, resulting in yellow leaves.
True or False: Photosynthesis occurs only during the day.
True.
What would happen to animals if plants died due to lack of light for photosynthesis?
Carnivores would survive for a while by eating other animals, but all animals would eventually die from lack of food.
How do plants transport water required for photosynthesis?
Water is transported through the xylem vessels from the roots to the leaves.
What is the consequence of a disaster that plunges the Earth into permanent darkness?
Without light for photosynthesis, all the plants would die.
