Minerals

Question 1

What are minerals needed by and in what amounts?

Answer 1

Minerals are needed by plants and animals in small amounts

Question 2

Why are minerals needed by plants and animals?(4)

Answer 2

To form rigid body structures such as bone and the cement between plant cell walls (both contain calcium)

To make soft body parts such as muscle (requires nitrogen and sulfur)

To form salts in cell and body fluids (tears, saliva and the liquid part of blood all contain sodium)

To form biomolecules (haemoglobin which is based on iron and chlorophyll, which is based on magnesium)

Question 3

Name 2 minerals used by plants and name the following to do with them:
Mineral:
Symbol:
Source:
Use:

Answer 3

Mineral: Magnesium
Symbol: Mg
Source: salts in the soil
Use: helps form chlorophyll

Mineral: Calcium
Symbol: Ca
Source: salts in the soil
Use: helps cell walls to attach to each other

Question 4

Name 2 minerals used by animals and name the following to do with them:
Mineral:
Symbol:
Source:
Use:

Answer 4

Mineral: iron
Symbol: Fe
Source: liver, meat, green vegetables
Use: helps form haemoglobin

Mineral: Calcium
Symbol: Ca
Source: milk, cheese, dairy products
Use: helps form bones and teeth