importance of water and inorganic ions to plants Flashcards
(11 cards)
water usage in plants
-component in photosynthesis
-provides a transport medium for minerals
-maintains turgidity in cells through pressure in cell vacuoles
-regulates temperature to ensure enzymes can function at their optimum rate
photosynthesis equation
6CO2 + 6H2O -> 6CH12O6 + 6O2
Word equation and breakdown
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose and oxygen
6 molecules of carbon dioxide
+6 molecules of water
produce
1 molecule of glucose
+6 molecules water
magnesium ions
-needed for PRODUCTION OF CHLOROPHYLL, essential for photosynthesis
what does a plant deficient in magnesium look like
-used in production of chlorophyll, gives green pigment to leaves, will appear yellow between veins if deficient
-production of chlorophyll needed to absorb light for photosynthesis which synthesises organic compounds needed for plant to grow
-if deficient growth may be stunted
nitrates
-needed for nitrogenous bases in amino acids which form essential
proteins, enzymes esp important in the plant
-needed for chlorophyll
-amino acids needed for growth and production of fruit and seeds
what does a plant deficient in nitrates look like
yellowing of leaves
stunted growth
calcium
needed for rigidity and support in the cell, calcium pectate in middle lamella,
calcium involvled in intercellular bonding=different ways cells attach and communicate in multicellular organsims
poor intercellular bonding leads to cell death
what does a plant deficient in calcium look like
-stunted growth
-dead necrotic tissue, brown especially on leaves
-weakened stems
middle lamella function
-outer most layer of plant cell
-binds adjacent cells together
-mainly composed of the polysaccharide pectin
-
where are pits formed
where theres an absence of lignin in areas where plasmodesmata are present
