G12 Chemical Systems – Chemical Industry
Plant Nutrients – Macronutrients
Nutrient: a chemical substance used for the metabolism and the physiology of an organism and is
absorbed from the environment.
Macronutrients: the main elements needed by plants in greater quantities for optimal growth.
Non-mineral Nutrients:
Nutrient Source Function in Plants
Carbon (C) From CO2 in the atmosphere Necessary in great quantities for the
Hydrogen (H) From rainwater in the soil synthesis of glucose and other important
Oxygen (O) From CO2 in the atmosphere and rainwater organic compounds
in the soil
Plants are autotrophic – they can produce glucose and starch from the elements C, H and O by
photosynthesis. Humans and animals are heterotrophic, and obtain C, H and O from plant and animal
materials and convert them into organic compounds.
Plant Nutrients – Macronutrients
Nutrient: a chemical substance used for the metabolism and the physiology of an organism and is
absorbed from the environment.
Macronutrients: the main elements needed by plants in greater quantities for optimal growth.
Non-mineral Nutrients:
Nutrient Source Function in Plants
Carbon (C) From CO2 in the atmosphere Necessary in great quantities for the
Hydrogen (H) From rainwater in the soil synthesis of glucose and other important
Oxygen (O) From CO2 in the atmosphere and rainwater organic compounds
in the soil
Plants are autotrophic – they can produce glucose and starch from the elements C, H and O by
photosynthesis. Humans and animals are heterotrophic, and obtain C, H and O from plant and animal
materials and convert them into organic compounds.
