Nutritional Processes in Plants

Question 1

What is plant nutrition?

Answer 1

The process of acquiring raw materials and energy from the environment for metabolic activities of organisms

Question 2

Why do plants require nutrients?

Answer 2

For their growth, development and reproduction

Question 3

Describe autotropism

Answer 3

Organisms which exhibit autotropism are autotrophs.

They synthesize organic materials from CO2 and inorganic materials

Plants are photoautotrophs which utilize light energy in order to synthesize organic molecules from inorganic material

Question 4

Why are plants called photoautotrophs?

Answer 4

They utilize light energy in order to synthesize organic molecules from inorganic material

Question 5

What is symbiosis?

Answer 5

An ecological relationship where 2 species live in close contact with each other

Question 6

What are the 3 types of symbiosis?

Answer 6

1. Commensalism
2. Parasitism
3. Mutualism

Question 7

What is mutualism?

Answer 7

A symbiotic relationship where both participants are benefitted

Question 8

Give examples for mutualists

Answer 8

Legume root nodules with N fixing bacteria (Rhizobium)

Mycorrhizae - a symbiotic association of roots of higher plants with fungi

Corolloid root of Cycas with Anabaena

Question 9

What is commensalism?

Answer 9

It is an interaction between 2 species which benefits one species and neither harms or benefits or harms the other

Question 10

Give examples for commensalism

Answer 10

epiphytic orchids

Question 11

What is parasitism?

Answer 11

It is a close association between 2 different species which is beneficial to one (the parasite) and harmful to the other (the host)

Question 12

Give an example for a semi-parasitic plant

Answer 12

Loranthus and host plant

Question 13

Give an example for a parasitic plant

Answer 13

Cuscuta (Dodder plant) and host plants

Question 14

What are carnivorous plants?

Answer 14

These plants are photosynthetic but obtain N and minerals by killing and digesting insects and other small animals

They live in habitats where the soil is poor in N and other minerals

Question 15

Give examples for carnivorous plants

Answer 15

Nepenthes
Drosera
Utricularia

Question 16

What are essential elements?

Answer 16

Elements required for a plant to complete its life cycle and produce another generation

Question 17

How many essential elements are there?

Answer 17

17

Question 18

What are the essential elements?

Answer 18

C P S K Ca
O
H
N
Mg, Cl, Mn, Fe, Zn, B, Cu, Ni, Mo

Question 19

What are macronutrients?

Answer 19

Nutrients needed by plants in large amounts

C, O, H, N, P, S, K, Ca, Mg

Question 20

What are micronutrients?

Answer 20

Plants require these elements in small amounts

Cl, Fe, Mn, B, Zn, Cu, Ni, Mo

Question 21

What are the functions of C, H, and O?

Answer 21

Major components of organic molecules in plants

Question 22

What are the Deficiency symptoms of C, and O?

Answer 22

Poor growth

Question 23

Deficiency symptoms of H

Answer 23

Poor growth, wilting

Question 24

What are the functions of K

Answer 24

Operation of stomata
Cofactors of many enzymes

Question 25

What are the functions of N

Answer 25

Component of amino acids, proteins, nucleotides, nucleic acids, chlorophyll, coenzymes and enzymes

Question 26

Deficiency symptoms of N

Answer 26

Stunted growth
Strong chlorosis, particularly in older leaves

Question 27

Deficiency symptoms of K

Answer 27

Yellow and brown leaf margins
Weak stems
Poorly developed roots