Active Transport

Question 1

What structure on plant roots grows into ‘hairs’?

Answer 1

Root hair cells

These structures increase the surface area for absorption of water and minerals.

Question 2

What is the primary function of root hair cells?

Answer 2

To absorb water and mineral ions from the soil

Mineral ions are essential for healthy plant growth.

Question 3

Why can’t root hair cells use diffusion to take up minerals?

Answer 3

Mineral concentration is usually higher in root hair cells than in the surrounding soil

This creates a concentration gradient that opposes diffusion.

Question 4

What process do root hair cells use to absorb minerals against a concentration gradient?

Answer 4

Active transport

This process requires energy from respiration.

Question 5

What does active transport allow plants to do?

Answer 5

Absorb minerals from a very dilute solution against a concentration gradient

This is essential for the plant’s growth.

Question 6

In humans, where does active transport occur related to nutrient absorption?

Answer 6

In the gut and kidney tubules

Active transport helps in nutrient uptake even when the concentration gradient is unfavorable.

Question 7

What happens when there’s a lower concentration of nutrients in the gut than in the blood?

Answer 7

Active transport is used to absorb nutrients into the blood

This process is essential to prevent starvation.

Question 8

What happens to glucose and amino acids in the gut when their concentration is higher than in the blood?

Answer 8

They diffuse naturally into the blood

This is a passive process and does not require energy.

Question 9

Fill in the blank: Active transport allows nutrients to be taken into the blood despite the concentration gradient being _______.

Answer 9

the wrong way

This means nutrients can still be absorbed even when they are less concentrated in the gut.

Question 10

What happens to glucose once it is absorbed into the bloodstream?

Answer 10

It can be transported to cells for respiration

This process is crucial for providing energy to the cells.