Question

Plants absorb mineral salts from the soil solution
through
(a) a semipermeable membrane into the
cytoplasm
(b) perforations at the apex of root hair cells
(c) the cell wall which is semipermeable
(d) None of these

Answer 1

Plants absorb mineral salts from the soil solution through:

(a) a semipermeable membrane into the cytoplasm

• Symplasm is responsible for absorbing the mineral salts.

• It is known as the cytoplasm of root cells.

• In the soil, the minerals are present in low concentrations and are absorbed by some specific carriers against the concentration gradient.

Answer 2

Answer is option "a"

Explanation:

• The mineral salts are absorbed into the symplasm, i.e., cytoplasm of root cells. There are special specific mineral transporters present in the plasma membrane of cells, which absorb the minerals from soil solution by transporting them across the membrane from soil solution to the cytoplasm of root cells.
• This way minerals can be absorbed irrespective of or against the concentration gradient of minerals. The minerals are present in the soil solution at very low concentrations and are usually absorbed against the concentration gradient with the help of specific carriers.
• Hence, the right answer is option a " a semipermeable membrane into the cytoplasm".