Question

Major role of minor essential elements is to act as

• A. Co-factors of enzymes
• B. Building blocks of important amino acids
• C. Constituents of hormones
• D. Binders of cell structure

Answer 1

The correct option is A Co-factors of enzymes

The mineral elements in plants can be grouped into two categories: Macronutrients and micronutrients. Macronutrients are those nutrient elements which are required by plants in large amounts. They help to build the plant body, regulate osmotic concentration and take part in biochemical reactions. Micronutrients are those elements which are present in plants in very trace amounts. They are generally required by the plants for the functioning of enzymes, as cofactors or as activators of enzymes.

Major nutrients: Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K).

Secondary nutrients : Calcium (Ca), Magnesium (Mg) and Sulphur (S).

Micronutrients or trace elements: Boron (B), Chlorine (CL)l, Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Manganese (Mn), Molybdenum (Mo) and Zinc (Zn).

Macronutrients are required in large amounts by plants while micronutrients are required in small amounts in plants.

Thus, the correct answer is option A.