Mineral Nutrients/ Soil

Question 1

Essential elements

Answer 1

necessary for plant growth and reproduction-without them, plants cannot complete their life cycles

Question 2

Beneficial elements

Answer 2

elements that might not be necessary but help the plant thrive

Question 3

Macronutrients

Answer 3

required in relatively large quantities (usually >0.1% of dry biomass)

Question 4

Micronutrients

Answer 4

required in small quantities (usually < 0.01% of dry biomass)

Question 5

Plant macronutrients

Answer 5

Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Sulphur, Potassium, Calcium, Magnesium

Question 6

Plant micronutrients

Answer 6

Iron, Sodium, Manganese, Copper, Zinc, Molybdenum, Boron, Chlorine

Question 7

Anions

Answer 7

for ex., Phosphorous (H2PO4-), Nitrogen (NH4+), and Chlorine (Cl-)

Question 8

Cations

Answer 8

such as Calcium (Ca2+), Magnesium (Mg2+), and iron (Fe 3+ or Fe 2+)
- Often bound to negatively charged clay particles or organic acids
-Requires cation exchange; plant releases H+ to free cations (either by releasing CO2 or through proton pumps)

Question 9

Proton Pumps

Answer 9

uses ATP to pump H+ outside of the cell- generating a potential difference (over 100mV). This pulls cations (such as K+) into the cell. Cations are accumulated against concentration gradient

Question 10

Ion Channels

Answer 10

can open and close to regulate passage of specific ions.

Question 11

The challenges of absorbing anions

Answer 11

-The potential difference generated by the proton gradient would keep anions out of the cell.
-However, H+ ions form complexes with anions which can be pulled into the cell via the appropriate channels
- Also, because anions are not attracted to clay or organic acids, they can leech from soils Nitrates and Phosphates are common causes of eutriphication

Question 12

As plants actively take up minerals, they get depleted from the rhizosphere and need to be replenished. This can occur via:

Answer 12

1. Bulk water flow due to transpiration-ions in solution move with the water
2. Diffusion - ions move down their concentration gradient
3. Root growth - the uptake of water and minerals occurs just behind the root tip.

Question 13

Calcium is very important for

Answer 13

the middle lamella an developmental signaling

Question 14

Phosphorous is necessary to

Answer 14

synthesize nucleic acids and phospholipids, as well as ATP!

Question 15

Potassium and chlorine help

Answer 15

regulate stomatal opening and closing as well as the activation of many enzymes

Question 16

Magnesium, zinc, nickel, copper, and manganese all function as

Answer 16

cofactors for different enzymes

Question 17

Symptoms of nutrient deficiency depend on the specific nutrient and the degree of deficiency

Answer 17

Chrlorosis (yellowing of leaves) , Necrosis ( tissue death), Stunted/ slow growth

Question 18

The Haber - Bosch process

Answer 18

Industrial process for producing ammonia developed by Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch in the early 20th century

Question 19

Soil quality

Answer 19

(along with climate) is a major determinant of plant distribution

Question 20

Soil consists of

Answer 20

(a) organic matter, (b) inorganic mineral matter, (c) water, and (d) air

Question 21

Organic material is

Answer 21

dark-colored because it contains humus (partially decayed matter with organic acids) humus increases nutrient content, water retention, and aeration