AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Active transport is a process that requires energy to transport mineral salts and ions. Absorbtion and transport of mineral ions into root hair cells of plants is one example of such transport.

Detailed explanation-2: -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-3: -For plants to take up mineral ions, ions are moved into root hairs, where they are in a higher concentration than in the dilute solutions in the soil. Active transport then occurs across the root so that the plant takes in the ions it needs from the soil around it.

Detailed explanation-4: -Active absorption of minerals by roots involves the activity of roots itself which involves the metabolic energy of roots. The energy production takes place by the process of aerobic respiration and thus oxygen is very essential for the uptake of minerals by plants.

Detailed explanation-5: -The active transport of minerals in plants is defined as the process that involves the movement of molecules from a region of lower concentration to a region of higher concentration against the gradient with the use of external energy.