Mineral Nutrition

Question 1

Are plant nutrients charged? Hydrated?

Answer 1

Yes, most

Question 2

Which goes down further in roots? Phloem or xylem?

Answer 2

Phloem

Question 3

Apoplastic movement

Answer 3

Free movement of ions and water through areas between cell walls

Question 4

Symplastic

Answer 4

Selective transport where ions pass through plasma membrane

Question 5

Do transport proteins have specificity for certain elements?

Answer 5

Yes

Question 6

Synergism

Answer 6

One element helps the other
Calcium helps K uptake

Question 7

Antagonist

Answer 7

One hurts the other
Calcium and magnesium, phosphorous and iron

Question 8

Extrinsic and intrinsic proteins

Answer 8

Outer or inner with charges, some intrinsic can act as pathways

Question 9

Root hairs

Answer 9

Massive surface area and extensions of epidermal cells. As roots grow they die so need to be replaced

Question 10

Essential elements

Answer 10

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

Question 11

Halophytes need:

Answer 11

Sodium

Question 12

Microorganisms that fix nitrogen need:

Answer 12

Cobalt

Question 13

Main elements of dry weight of plant

Answer 13

C, H, O
Everything else is mineral nutrient

Question 14

Macronutrients

Answer 14

Mineral nutrients in largest amount
NPK
Calcium, Mg, S

Question 15

Law of minimum

Answer 15

Even if all other nutrients are sufficient, if one isn’t the plant can’t grow and develop properly

Question 16

Nitrogen

Answer 16

Synthesis of amino acids, proteins, chlorophyll, nucleus acids

Question 17

Phosphorus

Answer 17

Proteins, nucleus acids, metabolic transfer processes, ATP, ADP, photosynthesis and respiration, phospholipids

Question 18

Potassium

Answer 18

Sugar and starch formation, protein synthesis, catalyst, meristematic tissue, opening and closing of stomates

Question 19

Calcium

Answer 19

Cell walls, cell growth and division, nitrogen assimilation, cofactor

Question 20

Magnesium

Answer 20

Chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, fats, sugars

Question 21

Sulfur

Answer 21

Amino acids, vitamins, flavor in cabbage and onions

Question 22

Mobility

Answer 22

Translocate element even after incorporating into metabolites. Deficiencies show up on lower leaves, NPK and Mg are most mobile

Question 23

Most important nutrients for plant growth

Answer 23

NPK, Calcium, Magnesium, iron

Question 24

Nitrogen cycle

Answer 24

Mineralization/ammonification, nitrification. Opposite starts with immobilization

Question 25

What type of nitrogen can plants use

Answer 25

Nitrate and ammonium but can only use ammonium

Question 26

Haber-Bosch

Answer 26

High temp and high pressure for nitrogen fixation. Lot less efficient than bacteria. Methane is used

Question 27

Why is ammonia in fertilizers bad

Answer 27

It leaches easily due to its charge

Question 28

What helps plants take up phosphorus

Answer 28

Mycorrhizal fungi and pH

Question 29

Is potassium easily leached

Answer 29

No because positive charge

Question 30

What is calcium good for and when can it be a problem?

Answer 30

Gives pectin stable structure but problem if plant can’t transport it fast enough leading to tissue collapse, soft, rotting, tip burn, blossom end rot

Question 31

Magnesium importance

Answer 31

Component in chlorophyll, magnesium salt in ATP, energy transfer

Question 32

Iron’s importance and problem

Answer 32

Photosynthesis and energy transfer
Immobile and very pH dependent

Question 33

Remobilization

Answer 33

Allocate resources to seeds. Not enough nutrients in fallen leaves for subsequent crop