Topic 4: Plant minerals theory and Core Practical Flashcards
How do plant mineral ions enter plants?
3 steps
- active transport (due to low mineral ion conc. in soil)
- using ATP and membrane protein
- into root hair cells
NOTE: in an exam, must say “inorganic ions” or “mineral ions”, not just “minerals”
How are plant mineral ions transported from roots to leaves?
1 way
- dissolved in water, in the xylem
What are the key functions of nitrate ions?
4 functions
- Makes amino acids, which make proteins for use as enzymes
- Makes ATP as energy source
- Makes organic, nitrogenous bases to make DNA + RNA
- Makes chlorophyll so light can be absorbed for photosynthesis
What are the symptoms of a nitrate ions deficiency?
3 symptoms
- {Slow/stunted} growth, so smaller plant
- Lack of side shoots (spindly plants)
- Older leaves turn yellow and die
What are the key functions of magnesium ions?
1 function
- Used to make chlorophyll, so light can be absorbed for photosynthesis
What are the symptoms of magnesium ions deficiency?
2 symptoms
- Yellow leaves as less green chlorophyll can be made
2. {Slow/stunted} growth as less photosynthesis
What are the key functions of calcium ions?
1 function
- Forms calcium pectate, with pectin, to form middle lamella which holds adjacent plant cells together.
What are the symptoms of calcium ions deficiency?
3 symptoms
- Young leaves turn yellow and crinkly
- Growing points die
- {Stunted/distorted} growth, as cells cannot hold together
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
Name the independent variable (1 point)
- Mineral ions solution with absence of one ion
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
How do you vary the independent variable?
(1 point)
- Use different mineral ion solutions with one mineral ion missing from each.
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
What is the experimental design focus? (1 point)
- Changing the concentration of one specific mineral ion
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
What is the negative control? (1 point)
Why? (2 points)
- Plant grown in distilled water - 0% concentration ions:
- For comparison.
- To determine the {growth/height/mass} in the absence of added mineral ions - to see that the {solvent/distilled water} used to make up the mineral ion solutions did not have an effect
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
What is the positive control? (1 point)
Why? (2 points)
- Plant grown in a solution with all mineral ions present in high enough concentrations for optimum plant growth requirements.
- For comparison
- To determine the {growth/height/mass} in with all mineral ion - {maximum/optimum} growth
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
Name the dependent variable (1 point)
- Plant growth
(Core practical 7: plant mineral ion deficiencies)
How is the dependent variable measured? (2 ways - quantitative)
What is a suitable time period? (1 point)
What needs to be calculated at the end? (1 point)
- Height of plant - from base of stem to top of stem with a ruler
- Mass of plant - with a top-pan balance
- 4 weeks
- % increase in {height/mass}