Chapter 1: Nutrition in Plants
Overview of the Chapter
Understanding the Chapter
This chapter explains how plants obtain their nutrients, the different modes of nutrition, and the process of photosynthesis. It also discusses how plants derive nutrients from the soil and the role of other organisms in providing essential nutrients to plants.
Modes of Nutrition in Plants
Autotrophic Nutrition
Photosynthesis
6CO2 + 6H2O + light energy → C6H12O6 + 6O2
Heterotrophic Nutrition
Types of Heterotrophic Nutrition
How Nutrients are Absorbed
Role of Soil and Roots
Symbiotic Relationships
Leguminous Plants and Rhizobium Bacteria: Rhizobium bacteria in root nodules of leguminous plants fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing essential nutrients to the plant.
Lichens: A symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi, where algae provide food through photosynthesis, and fungi offer protection and absorb nutrients.
Importance of Nutrients
Essential Nutrients
Deficiency Symptoms
Phosphorus Deficiency: Leads to poor root development and purplish discoloration of leaves.
Potassium Deficiency: Results in browning of leaf edges and weak stems.
Conclusion
Summary of the Chapter
Plants have different modes of nutrition, primarily autotrophic and heterotrophic.
Photosynthesis is a critical process for autotrophic nutrition, providing energy and oxygen.
Heterotrophic plants obtain nutrients through parasitism, saprotrophism, or insectivory.
Symbiotic relationships, soil, and roots play a vital role in nutrient absorption.
Both macronutrients and micronutrients are essential for plant health and development.
Additional Information
Key Terms and Concepts
Autotrophic Nutrition: Nutrition mode where organisms prepare their own food.
Heterotrophic Nutrition: Nutrition mode where organisms depend on other organisms for food.
Important Examples and Cases
Venus Flytrap: An example of an insectivorous plant.
Notable Observations
Symbiotic Nitrogen Fixation: Essential for enriching soil fertility and providing plants with necessary nitrogen.
FAQs
Autotrophic nutrition is the process by which plants prepare their own food using sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water.
Photosynthesis.
Sunlight, chlorophyll, carbon dioxide, and water.
The main products of photosynthesis are glucose (a type of sugar) and oxygen.
Photohotosynthesis produces oxygen and is a primary source of energy for almost all life forms.
Heterotrophic nutrition is the mode of nutrition in which organisms depend on other organisms for food.
Cuscuta (dodder).
Saprotrophic plants decompose dead organic matter to absorb nutrients.
Venus flytrap or pitcher plant.
Through their roots.
Root hairs increase the surface area for absorption.
Symbiosis is a mutually beneficial relationship between two different organisms.
Leguminous plants and Rhizobium bacteria.
Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen, providing essential nutrients to the plant.
Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi.
Macronutrients are nutrients required in large amounts, including nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sulfur.
Micronutrients are nutrients required in small amounts, including iron, manganese, zinc, copper, molybdenum, boron, and chlorine.
Yellowing of leaves and stunted growth.
Poor root development and purplish discoloration of leaves.
Browning of leaf edges and weak stems.
Chlorophyll captures light energy during photosynthesis.
Nitrogen fixation enriches soil fertility and provides plants with necessary nitrogen.
Autotrophic nutrition.
To supplement their nutrient intake, particularly in nutrient-poor soils.
Photosynthesis releases oxygen as a by-product, which is essential for the respiration of most living organisms.
Chapter 1: Nutrition in Plants MCQs
1. What is autotrophic nutrition?
2. What is the role of root hairs in plants?
3. Which of the following is an example of an insectivorous plant?
4. Where is the chlorophyll located in plants?
5. What is the main function of photosynthesis?
6. Which of the following is not a macronutrient for plants?
7. How do Rhizobium bacteria benefit leguminous plants?
8. What happens to plants when they have a nitrogen deficiency?
9. What type of nutrition does the Cuscuta plant exhibit?
10. What is the byproduct of photosynthesis?
11. What is the role of chlorophyll in photosynthesis?
12. What type of relationship is exhibited by lichens?
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