Introduction to Plants & Mineral Nutrition
Unit 4 returns to Botany. It explains how plants ‘eat’—from absorbing mineral nutrients from the soil to manufacturing food via Photosynthesis. It covers the crucial Nitrogen Cycle, which is essential for life on Earth, and the factors that influence the rate of Photosynthesis.
Syllabus & Topics
- 1Plants and mineral nutrition: Essential mineral, macro and micronutrients
- 2Nitrogen metabolism, Nitrogen cycle
- 3Biological nitrogen fixation
- 4Photosynthesis: Autotrophic nutrition
- 5Photosynthesis Process and Equations
- 6Photosynthetic pigments (Chlorophyll a, b, Carotenoids)
- 7Factors affecting photosynthesis (Light, CO2, Temp, Water)
Learning Objectives
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What is the role of Nitrogen?
Nitrogen is an essential element and a major component of DNA, RNA, and proteins (amino acids). Plants cannot utilize atmospheric nitrogen directly and depend on nitrogen fixation by bacteria or fertilizers for their nitrogen requirement.
Q2. What is Photosynthesis?
Photosynthesis is the process by which green plants synthesize their food (glucose) from carbon dioxide and water using sunlight in the presence of chlorophyll.
Q3. Macro vs Micro Nutrients?
Macronutrients (N, P, K) are required in large quantities for normal plant growth and development.
Micronutrients (Fe, Cu, Zn) are required in small quantities and mainly act as enzyme cofactors.
Q4. Factors affecting Photosynthesis?
The major factors affecting photosynthesis are light intensity, carbon dioxide concentration, temperature, and availability of water.
Q5. What is Mycorrhiza?
Mycorrhiza is a symbiotic association between a fungus and the roots of higher plants, which helps in better absorption of minerals, especially phosphorus.