Biology

Minerals and Nutrients

849 Questions

Review essential biology concepts regarding minerals and nutrients in this question bank. It covers trace elements required by plants and minerals crucial for human blood and bone formation. These facts frequently appear in general science exams.

Essential plant micronutrientsChlorophyll synthesis elementsHuman blood and bone mineralsTrace elements in physiology

Minerals and Nutrients Questions

Multiple choice biology blood circulatory system of human blood clotting platelets and their function defence against infectious disease

The process of blood clotting does not require

  1. Sodium ions

  2. Calcium ions

  3. Prothrombin

  4. Vitamin K

  5. Platelets
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Blood clotting is the process by which blood changes from liquid to gel and stop bleeding. When the blood vessels get injured, platelets in blood produces prothrombin in the presence of vitamin K. The prothrombin then converts into the thrombin (active form) in the presence of thrombokinase and calcium ions. This thrombin then converts fibrinogen (inactive) into the fibrin (active). Fibrin thread then plugs the damaged part and appear like a clot. Thus, the correct answer is option A.

Multiple choice blackman's principle of limiting factors photosynthesis in higher plants biology

Among these groups, one element is involved in opening and closing of stomata, the other helps to maintain ribosome structure. Choose the correct option.

  1. K and Ca

  2. P and S

  3. K and Mg

  4. Fe and Mg
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Potassium (K) and Magnesium (Mg) are essential macronutrients for plants.

K is absorbed as $K^+$. In plants, it is required in more abundant quantities in the meristematic tissues, buds, leaves and root tips. It helps to maintain an anion-cation balance in cells. It is involved in opening and closing of stomata.
Mg is absorbed by plants in the form of divalent magnesium ion ($Mg^{2+}$). It is required in the growing area of roots and stem, seeds, leaves, etc. It occurs as magnesium pectate in middle lamella. It is responsible for maintenance of ribosome structure because it is required for the binding of ribosome subunits during protein synthesis

Multiple choice blackman's principle of limiting factors photosynthesis in higher plants biology

The most abundant intracellular cation is

  1. $Ca^{++}$
  2. $H^+$
  3. $K^+$
  4. $Na^+$
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Sodium ion is the most abundant extracellular cation, while potassium ion is the most abundant intracellular cation. Both maintain osmotic balance, both involved in nerve conduction and maintainance of membrane potential in animals, while potassium alone is involved in guard cell movements and many other plant movements. Living cells operate sodium potassium pump to regularly throw out sodium and take in potassium ions.
So, the correct answer is '$K^+$'
Multiple choice blackman's principle of limiting factors photosynthesis in higher plants biology

The metal ion involved in the stomatal regulation is or Stomata will open, if there is accumulation of the following elements in the guards cells

  1. Iron

  2. Magnesium

  3. Zinc

  4. Potassium
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Potassium ions movement into and out of guard cells is related to the turgidity and consequent opening and closing of stomatal pore.

Multiple choice blackman's principle of limiting factors photosynthesis in higher plants biology

Element involved in stomatal regulation, its opening and closing is 

  1. Zinc

  2. Magnesium

  3. Potassium

  4. Iron
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Stomata open and closes due to water and ion movement. When the light falls on the parts of the plant, chloroplast carries out photosynthesis. ATP from photosynthesis powers sodium and potassium pump. Then the K$^+$ ions are pumped (influx of K$^+$) into the guard cells, by creating a concentration gradient and also water enter into the guard cell through osmosis. As a result of this, guard cells swells and stomata open. The reverse process occurs in the closing of stomata, i.e, loss of K$^+$ ions (efflux of K$^+$) by guard cells and water also leave the guard cells by the process osmosis. As a result, guard cells become flaccid and stomata close. 

So, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Manganese is required in

  1. Nucleic acid synthesis

  2. Plant cell wall formation

  3. Photolysis of water during photosynthesis

  4. Chlorophyll synthesis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
Manganese is required in the photolysis of water during photosynthesis. During photosynthesis after the water get split after assimilation of carbon dioxide manganese activates fat forming enzymes which function in the formation of riboflavin, ascorbic acid, and carotene which works as electron transport during photosynthesis.

So, the correct answer is 'Photolysis of water during photosynthesis'.
Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Which one of the following ion is essential for photolysis of water?

  1. Calcium

  2. Boron

  3. Manganese

  4. Zinc
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The light reaction, convert energy from the sun into chemical energy in the form of NADPH and ATP. These reactions must take place in the light and in chloroplasts of plants. Chlorophyll, which is a light-absorbing organelle in plant cells, is a very complex molecule that works in conjunction with the metal magnesium. There are primarily two types of chlorophyll: chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b. These chlorophyll molecules absorb light in the red and blue wavelengths, making the plants in which they are stored look green. Thus, the correct answer is option C.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Which of the following element is essential for photolysis of water?

  1. Fe

  2. Mg

  3. Mn

  4. Cu
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Photolysis of water occurs during non cyclic electron flow. During non cyclic electron flow, the ultimate source of electrons is water. The water molecule is split in a process, called as photolysis. The electrons are ultimately used in reduction of oxidised NADP to form reduced $NADPH _2$. The oxygen is released as a byproduct of photosynthesis. The mineral ions essential for photolysis are manganese, chlorine and calcium.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Manganese, calcium and chloride ions present in PS-II play an important role in.

  1. Absorption of light
  2. $CO _2$ assimilation

  3. Photolysis of water

  4. ATP synthesis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

As we know that the PS-II or photosystem II constantly supplies electrons during the light reaction.

This is possible because of the splitting of that is associated with PS-II. The water splits into H⁺, (O) and electrons. The ions Manganese, Calcium and chloride that are present plays an important role in this.

2H₂O---------------> 4H⁺ + O₂ + 4e⁻

So, the correct option is 'Photolysis of water.'

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Manganese and chlorine is required in plants for

  1. Nucleic acid synthesis

  2. Plant cell wall formation

  3. Photolysis of water during photosynthesis

  4. Chlorophyll synthesis
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The process of water dissociation during photosynthesis is called as photo-oxidation of water. It requires the presence of Mn++, Ca+ and Cl- , a water oxidising enzyme and an unknown substance Z.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Minerals involved in photolysis are

  1. Mg and CI

  2. K and Mn

  3. Mo and Mn

  4. Mn and Cl
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

A) Mg is responsible for the activation of many enzymes, but is not involved in photolysis. Cl ions help in the photolysis of water.

B) K is involved in maintaining the anion-cation balance and activates several enzymes connected with phosphorylation and synthesis of chlorophyll. Mn helps in splitting water to liberate oxygen .
C) Mo is a component of several enzymes like nitrogenase and nitrate reductase.
D) Mn and Cl are involved in photolysis.
So the correct answer is 'Mn and Cl'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

Mineral involved in photolysis of water are
(a) Mn
(b) Ca
(c) Mg
(d) Cl

  1. a, b

  2. a, b, d

  3. c, d

  4. a, b, c
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

A) Mn and Ca are involved in the photolysis of water.
B) Mn, Cl and Ca are involved in the photolysis of water.

C) Mg is not involved in the photolysis of water while Cl is involved.
D) Mn and Ca are involved in the photolysis of water. but Mg is not involved.
So the correct answer is 'a, b, d'.

Multiple choice botany photosynthesis modern concept of photosynthesis photosystems photosynthesis in higher plants

The essential element required for water splitting in photosynthesis leading  to release of oxygen is

  1. Mo

  2. Mn

  3. Mg

  4. K
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

During ATP synthesis in the chloroplast, the proton gradient is formed. There are several processes that take place during activation of electrons and their transport which lead to the development of a proton gradient. Photolysis of water is the first process of this activation. The splitting of the water molecule takes place on the inner side of the thylakoid membrane and so the hydrogen ions (protons) that are produced, they accumulate within the lumen of the thylakoids. Oxygen-evolving complex called Z-enzyme is attached to the inner surface of the thylakoid membrane. The enzyme has four Mn ions. Light energized  Mn and removes electrons from $OH^{-}$ component of water forming oxygen. So, the essential element required for water splitting in photosynthesis leading to release of oxygen is Mn.

Multiple choice biology animal tissue muscle tissue structure of protein muscle tissues

Which of the following ions has a regulatory role in internal movements?

  1. Calcium

  2. Magnesium

  3. Iron

  4. Zinc
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation
  • Sarcoplasmic reticulum is similar to endoplasmic reticulum present in other cells. It is present in sarcoplasm (cytoplasm of the muscle cell) of the muscle fiber (muscle cell).
  • The main function of the Sarcoplasmic reticulum is to store calcium ions (Ca2+).
  • When nerve signal reaches the neuromuscular junction it triggers the release of calcium from sarcoplasmic reticulum which in turn facilitates muscle contraction by binding to troponin. thus causing tropomyosin to shift from the face of the actin filament to which myosin heads need to bind to produce a contraction.
  • Hence Calcium ions have a regulatory role in internal movements.
  • So, the correct answer is 'Calcium'.