Skip to main content
Pearson+ LogoPearson+ Logo
Ch. 37 - Soil and Plant Nutrition
Campbell - Campbell Biology 11th Edition
Urry11th EditionCampbell BiologyISBN: 9789357423311Not the one you use?Change textbook
All textbooksUrry 11th EditionCh. 37 - Soil and Plant NutritionProblem 6
Chapter 37, Problem 6

A mineral deficiency is likely to affect older leaves more than younger leaves if
a. The mineral is a micronutrient
b. The mineral is very mobile within the plant
c. The mineral is required for chlorophyll synthesis
d. The mineral is a macronutrient

Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of mineral mobility in plants: Minerals that are mobile can be transported from older leaves to younger leaves when there is a deficiency.
Identify the characteristics of mobile minerals: Mobile minerals are typically those that can be relocated within the plant to support new growth, often affecting older leaves first.
Consider the role of older leaves: Older leaves may show deficiency symptoms first if the plant reallocates mobile minerals to younger, growing tissues.
Analyze the options: Determine which option describes a scenario where older leaves are affected due to mineral mobility.
Conclude based on mobility: The correct answer will be the one that indicates the mineral is mobile, as this would lead to older leaves showing deficiency symptoms first.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
3m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Mineral Mobility in Plants

Mineral mobility refers to the ability of a mineral to move from older to younger tissues within a plant. Mobile minerals, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, can be relocated to new growth areas when there is a deficiency, often affecting older leaves first. Understanding mineral mobility helps explain why older leaves show deficiency symptoms before younger ones.
Recommended video:
Guided course
12:57
Land Plants - 2

Role of Minerals in Chlorophyll Synthesis

Chlorophyll synthesis is crucial for photosynthesis, and certain minerals like magnesium and iron are essential for this process. A deficiency in these minerals can lead to chlorosis, where leaves turn yellow due to insufficient chlorophyll. If a mineral required for chlorophyll synthesis is deficient, it can significantly impact plant health and growth.
Recommended video:
Guided course
08:24
Food and Feeding

Macronutrients vs. Micronutrients

Macronutrients are nutrients required by plants in larger quantities, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, while micronutrients are needed in smaller amounts, like iron, manganese, and zinc. Both types are vital for plant growth, but their required quantities and roles differ. Understanding the distinction helps in diagnosing and addressing nutrient deficiencies in plants.
Recommended video:
Guided course
03:25
Soil Nutrients
Related Practice
Textbook Question

Mycorrhizae enhance plant nutrition mainly by:

a. Absorbing water and minerals through the fungal hyphae

b. Providing sugar to root cells, which have no chloroplasts

c. Converting atmospheric nitrogen to ammonia

d. Enabling the roots to parasitize neighboring plants

1481
views
Textbook Question

Epiphytes are:

a. Fungi that attack plants

b. Fungi that form mutualistic associations with roots

c. Nonphotosynthetic parasitic plants.

d. Plants that grow on other plants.

981
views
Textbook Question

Some of the problems associated with intensive irrigation include all of the following except:

a. Soil salinization

b. Overfertilization

c. Land subsidence

d. Aquifer depletion.

748
views
Textbook Question

The greatest difference in health between two groups of plants of the same species, one group with mycorrhizae and one group without mycorrhizae, would be in an environment

a. Where nitrogen-fixing bacteria are abundant

b. That has soil with poor drainage

c. That has hot summers and cold winters

d. In which the soil is relatively deficient in mineral nutrients

973
views
Textbook Question

Two groups of tomatoes were grown under laboratory conditions, one with humus added to the soil and one as a control without humus. The leaves of the plants grown without humus were yellowish (less green) compared with those of the plants grown in humus-enriched soil. The best explanation is that

a. The healthy plants used the food in the decomposing leaves of the humus for energy to make chlorophyll.

b. The humus made the soil more loosely packed, so water penetrated more easily to the roots.

c. The humus contained minerals such as magnesium and iron needed for the synthesis of chlorophyll.

d. The heat released by the decomposing leaves of the humus caused more rapid growth and chlorophyll synthesis.

1189
views
Textbook Question

The specific relationship between a legume and its mutualistic Rhizobium strain probably depends on:

a. Each legume having a chemical dialogue with a fungus

b. Each Rhizobium strain having a form of nitrogenase that works only in the appropriate legume host

c. Each legume being found where the soil has only the Rhizobium specific to that legume

d. Specific recognition between chemical signals and signal receptors of the Rhizobium strain and legume species

1016
views