Plants need minerals

Question 1

Plants need minerals, such as:

Answer 1

• Nitrates, to make proteins, which plants use for cell growth.
• Phospates, which are involved in respiration and growth.
• Potassium compounds,which are involved in respiration and photosynthesis.
• Magnesium compounds, which are involved in photosynthesis.

Question 2

Elements from the soil minerals are used to produce useful compounds.

Answer 2

• Nitrogen (from nitrates) is used to produce amino acids, which combine to form a variety of proteins.
• Phosphorus (from phosphates), is used to make DNA, which contains the plant’s genetic code, and cell membranes.
• Potassium (from potassium compounds) is used to help enzyme action in photosynthesis and respiration;
  
  • enzymes speed up chemical reactions.
• Magnesium (from magnesium compounds) is used to make chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis

Question 3

Lack of nitrates cause

Answer 3

Poor growth and yellow leaves.

Question 4

Lack of phospates cause

Answer 4

Poor root growth and discoloured leaves,

Question 5

Lack of potassium causes

Answer 5

Poor flower and root growth and discoloured leaves.

Question 6

Lack of magnesium causes

Answer 6

Yellow leaves.

Question 7

Concentration of minerals in soil

Answer 7

Minerals are usually present in the soil in low concentration.

Question 8

How do plants take up minerals.

Answer 8

Minerals are taken up by root hair cells by active transport, rather than by diffusion or osmosis. A system of carriers transport selected minerals across the cell membrane.

Question 9

What does active transport do?

Answer 9

• Active transport enables minerals, present in the soil only in low concentration, to enter root hairs already containing higher amounts of minerals.
• This uptake of minerals against a concentration gradient requires energy from respiration.