B4f: Plants need minerals

Question 1

What minerals do plants need and why(4)

Answer 1

nitrates - for proteins which are needed for cell growth

phosphates - for respiration and growth

potassium compounds - for respiration and photosynthesis

magnesium compounds - for photosynthesis.

Question 2

What elements are obtained from soil minerals and what compounds do they produce?(4)

Answer 2

nitrogen from nitrates to make amino acids

phosphorus from phosphates to make DNA and cell membranes

potassium from potassium compounds to help enzymes in photosynthesis and respiration to produce more food and energy

magnesium from magnesium compounds to make chlorophyll for photosynthesis

Question 3

What can a deficiency of nitrates lead to

Answer 3

poor plant growth; yellow leaves

Question 4

What can a deficiency of phosphate lead to

Answer 4

poor root growth; discoloured leaves

Question 5

What can a deficiency of potassium lead to

Answer 5

poor flower and fruit growth; discoloured leaves

Question 6

What can a deficiency of magnesium lead to

Answer 6

yellow leaves

Question 7

What is the problem with absorbing minerals via osmosis/diffusion

Answer 7

minerals are usually present in soil in quite low concentrations - very slow

Question 8

Describe active transport (3)

Answer 8

process that can move substances (minerals) across cell membranes from low (soil) to high concentrations (root hair cell), against concentration gradient across a cell membrane

requires energy from respiration in form of ATP

carried out by carrier proteins in the cell membrane