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How are water and minerals absorbed by plants?

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Last updated date: 17th May 2024
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Answer
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Hint: The study of the chemical elements and compounds required for plant growth, metabolism, and external supply is known as plant nutrition. The element is part of some essential plant constituent or metabolite, or the plant is unable to complete a normal life cycle without it.

Complete answer:
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Roots are the plant structures that allow plants to absorb the minerals and water they require. The presence of root hair increases the surface area of the roots. Minerals and water dissolved in the absorbed water are absorbed as a result of this. The vascular tissue xylem is responsible for the transport of nutrients and water in plants.
The roots provide most plants with the minerals and water they require. The same pathway begins in the soil, travels through the roots, up the stem, and finally to the leaves, where photosynthesis takes place. Minerals are absorbed through the dissolved water that is drawn up. The cells of the roots also provide a variety of organic molecules.
The xylem and phloem – the complex tissues of plants – transport these substances. They appear to pipe transporting the necessary materials. As a result, they form a continuous pathway for nutrients to reach the leaves.
The root, particularly the root hair, is the most important organ for nutrient absorption. The rate of nutrient uptake can be affected by the root's structure and architecture. For nutrients to reach the conducting tissues, xylem, and phloem, nutrient ions are transported to the root's center, the stele. The Casparian strip, a cell wall located outside the stele but within the root, prevents the stele from collapsing.

Thus, Water and minerals are absorbed by plants with the help of roots.

Note:
Plants can move nutrients to where they're needed the most. A plant will, for example, try to provide more nutrients to its younger leaves than to its older leaves. When nutrients are mobile within the plant, deficiency symptoms appear first on the older leaves. However, not all nutrients are mobile in the same way. Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are all mobile nutrients, whereas calcium and magnesium are not.