NEET BIOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -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.

Detailed explanation-2: -Mineral ions are absorbed by active transport. They are present in higher concentrations in the roots compared to the surrounding soil and are charged molecules. Calcium and magnesium are examples of ions required by plants for growth.

Detailed explanation-3: -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-4: -All minerals cannot be absorbed passively. Minerals are usually present as charged ions and the concentration of minerals is more in the root than in soil. Hence they require energy in the form of ATP to move against the concentration gradient.

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.