Mineral Nutrition Flashcards
What is the essential nutrient element required by plants in the greatest amount?
The essential nutrient element required by plants in the greatest amount is nitrogen.
How is nitrogen mainly absorbed by plants, and are there other forms of nitrogen that can be taken up?
Nitrogen is mainly absorbed by plants as NO3- (nitrate), but some can also be taken up as NO2- (nitrite) or NH4+ (ammonium).
Which parts of a plant have a high requirement for nitrogen?
All parts of a plant require nitrogen, particularly the meristematic tissues (growth regions) and the metabolically active cells.
What are some of the important biological molecules in which nitrogen is a major constituent?
Nitrogen is a major constituent of proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, and hormones.
Why is nitrogen considered crucial for the growth and development of plants?
Nitrogen is crucial for the growth and development of plants because it is a key component of essential biomolecules like proteins and nucleic acids, which are necessary for various cellular processes and plant functions.
What forms of phosphorus are absorbed by plants from the soil?
Phosphorus is absorbed by plants from the soil in the form of phosphate ions, which can be either H2PO4- (dihydrogen phosphate) or HPO4^2- (hydrogen phosphate).
What forms of phosphorus are absorbed by plants from the soil?
Phosphorus is absorbed by plants from the soil in the form of phosphate ions, which can be either H2PO4- (dihydrogen phosphate) or HPO4^2- (hydrogen phosphate).
Where can phosphorus be found as a constituent within plants?
Phosphorus is found as a constituent of cell membranes, certain proteins, all nucleic acids, and nucleotides within plants
What is the role of phosphorus in biological molecules?
Phosphorus plays a crucial role in the structure and function of cell membranes, certain proteins, all nucleic acids (such as DNA and RNA), and nucleotides, which are the building blocks of nucleic acids.
What are the two primary forms of phosphate ions that plants can absorb?
The two primary forms of phosphate ions that plants can absorb are H2PO4- (dihydrogen phosphate) and HPO4^2- (hydrogen phosphate).
Why is phosphorus important in cellular processes?
Phosphorus is required for all phosphorylation reactions in cells, which involve adding a phosphate group to molecules. This is crucial for cellular signaling and energy transfer processes.
How is potassium absorbed by plants?
Potassium is absorbed by plants as potassium ions (K+).
Which plant parts require more abundant quantities of potassium?
In plants, potassium is required in more abundant quantities in the meristematic tissues, buds, leaves, and root tips.
What is the role of potassium in maintaining cellular balance?
potassium helps to maintain an anion-cation balance in cells
List some specific biological functions of potassium in plants.
Potassium is involved in protein synthesis, opening and closing of stomata, activation of enzymes, and in the maintenance of the turgidity of cells.
Why is potassium important for plant growth and function?
Potassium is crucial for various aspects of plant growth and function because it plays a role in maintaining cellular balance, activating enzymes, supporting protein synthesis, and regulating processes like stomatal activity and cell turgidity.
Which plant tissues require calcium?
Calcium is required by meristematic and differentiating tissues in plants.
How do plants absorb calcium from the soil?
Plants absorb calcium from the soil in the form of calcium ions (Ca2+)
In what cellular process is calcium used during cell division?
During cell division, calcium is used in the synthesis of the cell wall, particularly as calcium pectate in the middle lamella
What is the role of calcium during the formation of mitotic spindle?
calcium is needed during the formation of the mitotic spindle.
