AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -They cannot be absorbed by diffusion, because the minerals are in very low concentration. Instead, active transport is used. The root hair cells have carrier proteins in their cell membranes. These pick up the mineral ions and move them across the membrane into the cell against the concentration gradient .

Detailed explanation-2: -In plants, water and minerals are transported through xylem cells from soil to the leaves. The xylem cells of roots, stems and leaves are interconnected to form a conducting channel that reaches all parts of the plant body. The root cells take ions from the soil.

Detailed explanation-3: -Xylem transports water, minerals, and nutrients from the soil to all the plant parts. There are two types of “transport” tissues in plants-xylem and phloem. Water and solutes are transported by the xylem from the roots to the leaves, and food is transported from the leaves to the rest of the plant by the phloem.

Detailed explanation-4: -While water is absorbed by the plants through osmosis, minerals are absorbed as ions by active transport (transport against the law of diffusion, by spending cellular energy). The cell membrane has transport proteins that allow the ions to cross the membrane.