Monai Elnaasani
Describe how to investigate plant mineral deficiencies practically.
Past paper - January 2011, June 2015
1. Genetically similar plants, explant seedlings from same parent plant
2. Prepare a mineral ion solution with at least five different concentration (0%, 1%, 2%,
3%, 4%, 5%)
3. Dissolve a specific mass of solute (mineral ion) in a specific volume of water
4. Cover the bottle with aluminum foil to prevent algal growth
5. Place plants in each bottle with same age and size at the start
6. Bubble oxygen through to provide oxygen for respiration of roots
7. Allow plants to grow a week or month under controlled abiotic conditions
8. Measure growth of plant by measuring mass using electronic balance, number of
leaves, length of roots or height of plant
9. Compare and repeat at each concentration to calculate a mean
Independent variable;
• Concentration of mineral ions
Dependent variable;
• Fresh mass
Importance of inorganic nutrients to plants;
• Nitrate ions;
• Amino acids formation for Protein, DNA (bases) and ATP which is required in
photosynthesis
• vitamin formation
• The more amino acids the more the proteins, increasing the growth
• Deficiency - Older leaves turn yellow and they die out due to stunt growth
• Phosphate ions;
• Formation of DNA, RNA, ATP and Phospholipids
• Deficiency - Purple stem and premature flower drop
• Calcium ions;
• Required for pectin to form middle lamella of cell wall
• Deficiency - meristems die, cell walls will be weaker, plants will have stunted
growth
• Magnesium ions;
• Forms chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll is used for photosynthesis, increasing photosynthesis increases yield
• Deficiency - yellowing of leaves
Importance of water to plants;
• Photosynthesis
• Component of cytoplasm
• Water as a solvent
• Water as a transport medium
• Involved in thermoregulation
• Structural support
• Involvement in hydrolysis
• Turgor changes
Pearson Edexcel Advanced Level Biology Unit 3 - notes for success
Describe how to investigate plant mineral deficiencies practically.
Past paper - January 2011, June 2015
1. Genetically similar plants, explant seedlings from same parent plant
2. Prepare a mineral ion solution with at least five different concentration (0%, 1%, 2%,
3%, 4%, 5%)
3. Dissolve a specific mass of solute (mineral ion) in a specific volume of water
4. Cover the bottle with aluminum foil to prevent algal growth
5. Place plants in each bottle with same age and size at the start
6. Bubble oxygen through to provide oxygen for respiration of roots
7. Allow plants to grow a week or month under controlled abiotic conditions
8. Measure growth of plant by measuring mass using electronic balance, number of
leaves, length of roots or height of plant
9. Compare and repeat at each concentration to calculate a mean
Independent variable;
• Concentration of mineral ions
Dependent variable;
• Fresh mass
Importance of inorganic nutrients to plants;
• Nitrate ions;
• Amino acids formation for Protein, DNA (bases) and ATP which is required in
photosynthesis
• vitamin formation
• The more amino acids the more the proteins, increasing the growth
• Deficiency - Older leaves turn yellow and they die out due to stunt growth
• Phosphate ions;
• Formation of DNA, RNA, ATP and Phospholipids
• Deficiency - Purple stem and premature flower drop
• Calcium ions;
• Required for pectin to form middle lamella of cell wall
• Deficiency - meristems die, cell walls will be weaker, plants will have stunted
growth
• Magnesium ions;
• Forms chlorophyll
• Chlorophyll is used for photosynthesis, increasing photosynthesis increases yield
• Deficiency - yellowing of leaves
Importance of water to plants;
• Photosynthesis
• Component of cytoplasm
• Water as a solvent
• Water as a transport medium
• Involved in thermoregulation
• Structural support
• Involvement in hydrolysis
• Turgor changes
Pearson Edexcel Advanced Level Biology Unit 3 - notes for success
