plant ions

• plant ions 


  absorbed through root hair cells via active transport

  travel up the xylem(via transpiration stream)
• water importance

  • photosynthesis
  • transport medium for minerals and ions
  • maintains turgidity of plant(vacuole)
  • regulates temperature- optimum temp for enzymes
• magnesium ions 


  production of chlorophyll

  • provides green colour, essential for photosynthesis
  • if not present- chlorosis can occur and stunted growth
• nitrate ions

  • involved in synthesis on DNA,proteins, needed for amino acids which make proteins for growth
  • so essential for plant growth and production of fruit/seeds
• calcium ions

  • cell walls
  • allows growth
  • if not present small leaves and lack ability to stand upright
• ion deficient plants, initial leaves can be normal/ growth can be normal, how?

  • The initial ion supply came from reserves in the seed
  • The seedlings showed strong growth until the ions from the seed ran out, causing the later growth to be adversely affected