Plant Nutrition and Mineral Requirements

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Questions and Answers

What is the net gas exchange that occurs when the rate of respiration is higher than the rate of photosynthesis?

No net gas exchange

Net uptake of oxygen and net release of carbon dioxide (correct)

Net uptake of both carbon dioxide and oxygen

Net uptake of carbon dioxide and net release of oxygen

At what point does the rate of photosynthesis equal the rate of respiration?

As light intensity further increases

At the compensation point (correct)

During the night

At the start of the day

What happens to the rate of photosynthesis as light intensity continues to increase beyond a certain point?

It fluctuates randomly.

It continues to increase indefinitely.

It decreases to zero.

It remains constant. (correct)

Apart from lenticels, where else does gas exchange occur in plants?

Roots (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main gas that is taken up by plants during respiration?

Oxygen (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main purpose of the aluminum foil covering the jar in the experimental setup?

To prevent photosynthesis by algae and limit competition for minerals (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it recommended to use young seedlings instead of mature plants in the experimental setup?

Young seedlings have a faster growth rate, making the effects of mineral deficiency more apparent. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of the cuticle in a leaf?

To reduce water loss through transpiration (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following cells in a leaf contain chloroplasts?

Palisade mesophyll cells (A), Spongy mesophyll cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the air space within the spongy mesophyll?

To facilitate the diffusion of carbon dioxide and oxygen during gas exchange (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for renewing the nutrient solution in the experimental setup?

To provide a constant supply of minerals for plant growth (D) Signup and view all the answers

If a plant exhibits poor growth and yellow leaves, what mineral deficiency might be suspected?

Magnesium (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of guard cells in the leaf?

To regulate the opening and closing of stomata (D) Signup and view all the answers

What process do plants use to synthesize carbohydrates?

Photosynthesis (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is essential for the synthesis of proteins in plants?

Nitrogen (A) Signup and view all the answers

What are trace elements required for in plants?

Growth and development (D) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does nitrogen deficiency have on plants?

Poor growth and yellow leaves (D) Signup and view all the answers

How do plants absorb phosphorus?

In the form of phosphate ions (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which mineral is involved in promoting transport within plants?

Potassium (B) Signup and view all the answers

What deficiency symptoms are associated with phosphorus in plants?

Poor growth around the roots and purple patches on leaves (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of potassium in plants?

Regulating water balance and aiding photosynthesis (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of guard cells in relation to stomata?

To control the opening and closing of the stoma (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which feature of leaves helps reduce the diffusion distance for gas exchange?

The thin structure of leaves (A) Signup and view all the answers

In the process of gas exchange, gases in the air space must first dissolve in which structure before diffusing into cells?

Mesophyll cells (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a key adaptive feature of leaves that facilitates gas exchange?

Broad and flat shape of leaves (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements about gas exchange in woody stems is correct?

Woody stems have impervious cork layers limiting gas exchange (A) Signup and view all the answers

How do gases produced by plant cells typically move during gas exchange?

They diffuse into neighboring cells and toward the stoma (C) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the moisture on the surface of mesophyll cells play in gas exchange?

It allows gases to dissolve and diffuse into cells (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of having air spaces among spongy mesophyll cells in leaves?

To allow gases to diffuse freely (B) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Plant Nutrition

Plants are autotrophs, meaning they produce their own food.
They use light energy from the sun, carbon dioxide, and water to create carbohydrates through photosynthesis.
A byproduct of photosynthesis is oxygen.
Plants absorb water and minerals from the soil.
Since plants convert inorganic substances into organic substances, they are considered autotrophs and have autotrophic nutrition.
Plants require minerals for growth.
Major elements are needed in large amounts.
Trace elements are needed in small amounts.
Nitrogen is absorbed as nitrate ions and ammonium ions.

Mineral Requirements

Nitrogen: Needed for protein synthesis, deficiency leads to poor growth and yellow leaves.
Phosphorus: Required for nucleic acid synthesis, deficiency causes poor root growth and purple leaf patches.
Potassium: Promotes transport and photosynthesis, deficiency results in stunted growth and cured-up leaves with dark edges.
Magnesium: Crucial for chlorophyll synthesis, deficiency causes poor growth and yellow leaves.

Experimental Setup for Testing Mineral Effects on Plant Growth

An experimental setup can be used to observe mineral effects on plant growth.
The setup typically includes a seedling, cotton wool, and a nutrient solution.
The solution may lack phosphate to observe the effect.
This helps identify deficiencies and observe growth.

Gas Exchange in Plants

Gas Exchange in Leaves

Leaves have epidermis that protect the inner layers.
The epidermis is coated with the cuticle, reducing water loss.
Palisade mesophyll cells are tightly packed, rich in chloroplasts.
Spongy mesophyll cells are loosely packed with air spaces.
Stomata are pores in the epidermis for gas exchange.
Guard cells control the opening and closing of stomata.

Process of Gas Exchange in Leaves

Gases enter the leaf through the stomata, dissolving in the moist mesophyll.
Gases diffuse to cells for use in photosynthesis or respiration.
Excess gases exit through the stomata.

Adaptive Features of Leaves for Gas Exchange

Broad, flat leaves provide a large surface area for gas exchange.
Thin leaves reduce diffusion distances for efficient gas exchange.
Moist mesophyll surfaces facilitate gas absorption.
Numerous air spaces in the spongy mesophyll allow easy gas diffusion.
Stomata facilitate effective gas exchange.
Guard cells regulate gas exchange rates.

Gas Exchange in Stems and Roots

Herbaceous stems have stomata.
Woody stems have lenticels for gas exchange.
Roots typically have gas exchange over the entirety of the root surface.

Light Intensity Effect on Gas Exchange

At night, only respiration occurs (using oxygen and releasing CO2).
During the day, if photosynthesis rate is higher than respiration rate, the plant takes in more CO2.
If respiration rate is higher than the rate of photosynthesis, the plant releases more CO2.
Compensation point is when the rates of photosynthesis and respiration are equal, resulting in neither a net uptake or release of CO2.
As light intensity increases, photosynthesis exceeds respiration, leading to a net uptake of CO2.

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Description

Explore the essential aspects of plant nutrition, focusing on how plants produce their own food through photosynthesis and the various minerals they require for growth. Understand the significance of nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and other trace elements in preventing deficiency and supporting healthy plant development.