Plants Need Minerals

Question 1

Describe how minerals are absorbed

Answer 1

• dissolved in solution
• by the root hairs
• from the soil

Question 2

Describe experiments to show the effects on plants of mineral deficiencies

Answer 2

• soil-less culture

- each trial missing one mineral

Question 3

Explain why plants require nitrates?

Answer 3

For proteins which are needed for cell growth

Question 4

Explain why plants require phosphates?

Answer 4

For respiration and growth

Question 5

Explain why plants require potassium compounds?

Answer 5

For respiration and photosynthesis

Question 6

Explain why plants require magnesium compounds?

Answer 6

For photosynthesis

Question 7

Describe how elements obtained from soil minerals are used in the production of compounds in plants

Answer 7

• nitrogen to make amino acids
• phosphorus to make DNA and cell membranes
• potassium to help enzymes (in photosynthesis and respiration)
• magnesium to make chlorophyll

Question 8

Relate mineral deficiencies to the resulting poor plant growth:

• Nitrate
• Phosphate
• Potassium
• Magnesium

Answer 8

Nitrate - poor growth and yellow leaves
Phosphate - poor root growth and discoloured leaves
Potassium - poor flower and fruit growth and discoloured leaves
Magnesium- yellow leaves

Question 9

Where are minerals usually present?

Answer 9

In soil in quite low concentrations

Question 10

Explain how minerals are taken up into root hair cells by active transport

Answer 10

The root hair cells have carrier molecules in their cell membrane. These pick up the mineral ions and move them across the membrane into the cell against the concentration gradient.

Question 11

What does active transport do?

Answer 11

It can move substances from low concentrations to high concentrations, across a cell membrane, using energy from repsiration.

Question 12

What do fertilisers contain?

Answer 12

Minerals such as nitrates,phosphates, potassium, and magnesium compounds which are needed for plant growth