Question

Mineral absorption is

• A. mostly passive with water absorption
• B. mostly passive without water absorption
• C. mostly active
• D. always active

Answer 1

The correct option is C mostly active

Absorption of minerals is achieved in two phases:
a) First phase
b) Second phase

First phase, is the rapid phase also known as the active phase where the uptake of ions is fast and ions fills up in the free space, the apoplastic region. In the second phase, also known as slow phase or passive phase where the movement of ions is towards the inner space, the symplastic region and this movement mainly occurs through the ion channels.

Absorption mostly occurs using active absorption phase because it is a fast process of mineral absorption, utilise energy and unidirectional. It is a biochemical process that occurs against the concentration gradient with the help of carriers and pumps.