Name: Autotrophic Nutrition in Plants
Uploaded: 2019-07-19
Duration: 13 min 25 s
Description: Photosynthesis is a dye-sensitised redox process producing carbohydrate. Plants are self-reliant systems providing food to other organisms. Hence are autotro...

Question

What do you mean by macroelements ? Write about the roles of three macroelement.

Accepted Answer

The inorganic ions that are necessary for supporting normal growth and reproduction are called essential elements. These elements are obtained from the surrounding and are directly involved in plant metabolism. The essential elements that are required in large amounts for normal growth and other physiological functions of plants are called macronutrients. Mainly 9 macronutrients are there. Magnesium, calcium, nitrogen, sulphur, potassium, hydrogen, phosphorus, carbon and oxygen are the macronutrients. These are generally present in plant tissues in excess of 10 mmole Kg^–1 of dry matter.

Calcium is a macronutrient because it is required in large amount for the normal function of the plant. Calcium plays an important role in cell wall formation and cell division. It acts as an activator of many enzymes. It is present in the middle lamella of the cell wall.

Magnesium is the main constituent of chlorophyll pigment. It acts as an activator of enzymes involved in protein synthesis and nucleic acid synthesis.

Potassium is a macroelement that requires large amounts for normal growth and other physiological functions of plants. It activates the enzymes and also takes part in carbohydrate and protein synthesis. It helps in the permeability of the cell membrane.

What do you mean by macroelements ? Write about the roles of three macroelement.

Important Questions on Plants and Minerals Nutrition

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