Plant Nutrition Essentials

Nutrients that cannot be produced by an animal's body and must be obtained from food.

A system that transports oxygen, nutrients, hormones, and waste products throughout an animal's body.

A circulatory system where blood is contained within vessels.

Carries blood away from the heart.

Carries blood towards the heart.

A selectively permeable barrier that controls the movement of substances into and out of a cell.

Movement of substances across a membrane without requiring energy.

Movement of substances across a membrane against a concentration gradient, requiring energy (ATP).

Process by which a cell takes in substances from its surroundings by forming vesicles.

Process by which a cell expels substances from its interior into the surrounding environment by forming vesicles.

Essential elements are those crucial for plant growth and development, categorized as macronutrients needed in large amounts (like nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium) and micronutrients required in smaller quantities (like iron, manganese, zinc).

Plants absorb essential elements mainly through their roots, which extend into the soil. The roots act like straws drawing up water and nutrients.

Nitrogen fixation is a process that transforms atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form for plants, carried out by special bacteria living in the soil. This process is vital for plant growth because nitrogen is a key component of proteins and DNA.

Plants form symbiotic relationships with fungi called mycorrhizae, where both organisms benefit. The fungi help the plant absorb nutrients from the soil more efficiently, while the plant provides the fungi with sugars.

Xylem tissues act like a plant's plumbing system, transporting water and dissolved minerals upward from the roots to the rest of the plant. This process is driven by transpiration pull and capillary action.

Phloem is another type of vascular tissue in plants, responsible for transporting sugars produced during photosynthesis from leaves to other parts of the plant. The movement of sugars is driven by a pressure-flow mechanism.

Transpiration is the loss of water vapor from leaves through tiny openings called stomata. This process creates a 'pull' that draws water upwards from the roots, aiding in nutrient transport and cooling the plant.

Guard cells are specialized cells surrounding stomata, which control the opening and closing of these pores. This regulation helps balance water loss and gas exchange for photosynthesis and respiration.

Animals obtain energy from breaking down organic molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. These molecules serve as fuel for various bodily functions.

Digestion is the process of breaking down large food molecules into smaller, absorbable molecules. This breakdown involves both mechanical (like chewing) and chemical (using enzymes) processes.