Plant Mineral Absorption and Transport Mechanisms

Front

What are the sources of soil minerals?

Back

Natural and anthropogenic sources.

Front

Why is pH important in plant mineral absorption?

Back

pH affects cation binding and absorption. High pH keeps cations bound to soil, while low pH can cause toxic aluminum cation absorption.

Front

How do plants absorb inorganics?

Back

Through cation exchange and absorption of soil solutions.

Front

What is the role of the organic component of soil?

Back

It impacts cation exchange.

Front

What adaptations do some plants have for nutrient acquisition?

Back

Carnivorous plants digest animals, epiphytic plants anchor to others but acquire their own nutrients, parasitic plants acquire nutrients from hosts, and mycotrophic plants acquire nutrients from fungi.

Front

What is the transpiration-cohesion-tension mechanism?

Back

A process aiding water flow in plants, involving transpiration, cohesion, and adhesion.

Front

What is transpiration?

Back

Gaseous water loss through stomata, creating negative pressure to pull water up.

Front

What is cohesion in plants?

Back

Attraction between water molecules, creating a column of water.

Front

What is adhesion in plants?

Back

Attraction between water molecules and xylem cell walls, helping offset gravity.

Front

How do stomata affect transpiration?

Back

Stomata opening and closing alter the rate of transpiration, generally open during the day and closed at night.