Question

Answer the following question.

How are the minerals absorbed by the plants?

Answer 1

i. The analysis of plant ash demonstrates that minerals are absorbed by plants from soil and surroundings.

ii. Minerals are absorbed by plants in the ionic (dissolved) form, mainly through roots and then transported.

iii. Mineral ion absorption is independent of water absorption.

iv. It can occur in two ways i.e. active and passive absorption.

v. In passive absorption, the movement of mineral ions into root cells occurs as a result of diffusion. Mineral ions diffuse from a region of their higher concentration to a region of their lower concentration without the expenditure of energy.

vi. Most minerals in the soil are charged particles hence, they cannot pass across the cell membranes. Hence most of the minerals are absorbed actively with the expenditure energy.

vii. Inactive absorption, minerals are absorbed against the concentration gradient with the expenditure energy.

viii. Absorbed mineral ions are pulled in an upward direction along with xylem sap because of transpiration pull.

ix. Hence, mineral ions are pulled from the source (root) and are transported ascendingly through the sap to the needed areas like apical, lateral, young leaves, developing flowers, fruits, seeds, and storage organs.

x. Mineral ions get unloaded by fine veins through the process of diffusion in the vicinity of cells. Cells uptake them actively.