| Question | Answer |
| what are the 4 minerals which plants need? | -nitrates
-phosphates
-potassium compounds
-magnesium compounds |
| what are nitrates used for? | to make proteins for growth |
| what are phosphates used for? | -in respiration (releasing energy)
-growth, especially in roots |
| what are potassium compounds used for? | in respiration and photosynthesis |
| what are magnesium compounds used for? | in photosynthesis |
| what does mineral deficiency mean? | when a plant doesn't have enough of a certain mineral |
| what are some symptoms of plants when there's no nitrates? | -poor growth
-yellow leaves |
| what are some symptoms of plants when there's no phosphates? | -poor root growth
-discoloured leaves |
| what are some symptoms of plants when there's no potassium? | -poor fruits and flowers
-discoloured leaves |
| what are some symptoms of plants when there's no magnesium? | yellow leaves |
| explanation of how nitrates are used | nitrogen in nitrates
used to make amino acids
amino acids join together to make different proteins such as enzymes |
| explanation of how phosphates are used | phosphorus in phosphates
used to make cell membranes and DNA
DNA carries genetic information |
| explanation of how potassium is used | helps make some enzymes
enzymes speed up chemical reactions such as photosynthesis and respiration |
| explanation of how magnesium is used | makes chlorophyll molecules |
| what is active transport? | when special carrier molecules take mineral ions across plant cell membranes |
| how do we know that energy is needed for active transport? | because an increase in the uptake of minerals is matched with an increase in its respiration rate |
| what are the minerals absorbed against? | a concentration gradient |
| what do plants abosorb in different amounts and types? | minerals |
| what do plants do with these minerals when absorbing them? | select the minerals it needs |
