AP BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Mineral nutrients come from the soil. These nutrients are absorbed by the plants roots when uptaking water. Mineral nutrients are broken up into macronutrients and micronutrients. The most important primary macronutrients for plants are nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K).

Detailed explanation-2: -Diffusion operates by these highly concentrated ions moving as far away from one another as possible, and becoming exposed and available to the plant roots. Phosphate, potassium and zinc are the main nutrient ions moving as a result of diffusion.

Detailed explanation-3: -Plants take up essential elements from the soil through their roots and from the air through their leaves. Nutrient uptake in the soil is achieved by cation exchange, wherein root hairs pump hydrogen ions (H+) into the soil through proton pumps.

Detailed explanation-4: -Root nutrient uptake and transport through the roots can occur by (i) diffusion, (ii) advection, and (iii) active uptake.

Detailed explanation-5: -Plant roots generally absorb nutrients from the soil when they absorb water as the nutrients remain dissolved in it. They mainly uptake the nutrients by the diffusion process. Also, they get oxygen from the air through leaves.