Plant Nutrition: Photosynthesis, Nutrient Absorption and Storage

Elements used in large quantities by the plant are termed macronutrients, which can be further defined as primary and secondary. The primary nutrients include nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). These elements contribute to plant nutrient content, function of plant enzymes and biochemical processes, and integrity of plant cells. Deficiency of these nutrients contributes to reduced plant growth, health and yield. Thus, they are the three most important nutrients supplied by fertilizers. The secondary nutrients include calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg) and sulphur (S).

The dark reaction of photosynthesis occurs in the stroma of chloroplast.

Minerals are absorbed by active transport.

The process of conversion of ammonia to nitrite by microbes is called nitrification.

Iodine test is done to check the presence of starch.

Cuscuta is a parasite which obtains its nourishment from living hosts.

Autotrophic nutrition is the one in which an organism makes its own food from inorganic substances.

Nutrition is defined as the way an organism obtains food and nutrients by the process of digestion.

Plants store carbohydrates in the form of starch.

Transpiration is the process in which there is loss of water in the form of vapours from  plants.

Nitrobacter is a chemosynthetic bacterium. It plays a major role in nitrogen cycle by converting nitrites into nitrates.

Opening and closing of stomata is controlled by guard cells.

Rhizopus is not an autotroph. It is included in the kingdom of fungi which have saprophytic mode of nutrition.

Bacteria and fungi act upon dead and decaying matter and convert it into simpler form, so that the nutrients are returned back to the nutrients pool.