Minerals (plants) & Fertilisers
- Created by: hannahadams
- Created on: 27-05-15 09:08
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- Minerals (plants) & Fertilisers
- Minerals are needed by plants in small amounts for healthy growth
- during growth these minerals are removed from the soil and if the plants are harvested, they are not replaced
- natural or artificial fertilisers can be used to replace nitrates in the soil
- plants absorb nitrates from the soil solution through their root hair cells in a process known as active transport
- as active transport requires energy and energy is released through respiration, root hair cells will possess many mitochondria, which are the site of respiration
- farmers can ensure maximum levels of oxygen for respiration by aerating their soils
- as respiration is an enzyme catalysed reaction, it will also be affected by temperature
- plants need:
- magnesium for chlorophyll formation
- calcium for the formation of cell walls
- nitrates to form amino acids which are then used to build proteins
- Root hair cells are specialised cells, adapted for their function:
- extended shape which provides a large surface area to volume ratio
- this increases the rate of absorption of water by osmosis and mineral ions by active uptake
- extended shape which provides a large surface area to volume ratio
- Active transport
- movement of mineral ions from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration
- it is an active process requiring energy released from respiration to transport minerals against their concentrationgradient
- movement of mineral ions from an area of low concentration to an area of high concentration
- Natural Fertilisers
- Advantages
- less soluble than artificial fertiliser so less will be lost by leaching and run-off into waterways
- improves soil quality by adding to the humus content of the soil
- disadvantages
- difficult to know the mineral composition exactly
- difficult to store and spread
- Advantages
- Artificial Fertilisers
- Advantages
- easier to store
- can be applied in a more controlled manner
- disadvantages
- has to be purchased
- soluble so can be easily washed away creating pollution problems
- Advantages
- Minerals are needed by plants in small amounts for healthy growth
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