Question

Minerals absorbed by the roots travel up the xylem. How do they reach the parts where they are needed most? Do all the parts of the plant get the same amount of the minerals?

Answer 1

Transport of minerals:

Minerals are absorbed along with water in the roots. These minerals are passively transported up the plant due to transpirational pull.


Uptake into the cell:

• The transpirational pull helps in the transport of minerals up the plant. But once the minerals reach the plant cells, its uptake is done actively.
• This is because at any given time the concentration of the minerals inside the plant cells will be more than the outside.
• Special membrane transport proteins called pumps utilise ATP molecules to transport mineral ions against the concentration gradient

Mobilisation:

• Growing parts of the plant like the meristems, developing fruits and flowers, and seeds requires more minerals than other parts.
• They are the chief sinks for the minerals.
• Mobile elements get mobilised from the old and senescent parts to the growing parts.

Therefore all the parts of the plant do not get the same amount of mineral ions.