Question

At the roots,cells in contact with the soil actively take up ions. This creates a difference in the concentration of these ions between the root and the soil.
Can you please explain this sentence.....

Answer 1

The roots fix the plant in the soil giving it support but the most important and life supporting function of the roots is to absorb

(A) water and (B) mineral nutrients from the soil, and conduct them into the stem for supply to the leaves, flowers, fruits, etc...

A. NEED OF WATER

Besides being a constituent of Protoplasm, water is needed inside the plant body for 4 purposes: Photosynthesis, Transpirstion, Transportation, Mechanical stiffness.

1. photosynthesis:water is used up in the Green Leaves as a raw material in the synthesis of glucose.

2.Transpiration: a large quantity of water is passed out as water vapour during transpiration, for cooling in hot weather, for producing a suction force, etc

3 transportation : transportation of substances in water solution from the root upwards into the shoot( mineral salts) or from leaves to other parts (sugar etc).

4 Mechanical stiffness : water provides turgidity ( fully distended condition) which is necessary for the stiffness of plant tissues.

B. NEED OF MINERAL NUTRIENTS

mineral nutrients required by the plant are absorbed from the soil by the roots only. some of these nutrients are observed as salts( nitrates, phosphates, sulphates, etc...) and some are simply as ions( potassium, calcium, magnesium, chlorine, etc...).These elements are required as constituents of cell and cell organelles as well as in the synthesis of a variety of compounds are enzymes within the cell.

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