MINERAL ABSORBTION

INTRODUCTION 

Absorbtion of mineral salts by  plants from the soil occur through roots mainly from the roots hairs and the zones of absorbtion. Hence , plants absorb minerals from the soil for their translocation to other parts of the body through stream of xylem. 

Minerals are not absorbed as such by the plants instead are absorbed in their ionic forms. For example , chlorine is not absorbed as such by the plants instead it gets accumulated in the form of its ( cl- ) chloride ions. 

PHASES OF MINERAL ABSORBTION 

Minerals absorbtion by plants is done by two different Phases :-

(1). Initial Phase (Passive transport ) It is first and foremost Phase for the Process of a absorbtion of  mineral by which water or ions present in the free or outer space of cells are uptaken by the roots of plants by taking apoplast pathway (avoid entry into cellular membranes and cytoplasm ) 

In this phase , The absorbtion of minerals by Plants is very rapid without using any metabolic energy (in the form of ATP ) . Hence , the pathway is called the passive transport . The Passive movement of ions occurs through ion-channel and the transmembrane protiens that functions as selective pores into apoplast. 

(2). Metabolic Phase (Active Transport ) It is the next phase of mineral absorbtion which is dependent on metabolic energy in the form of ATP for the uptake of minerals ions by the roots into the inner spaces (i,e symplast of the cell ). Hence is called the active process. 

The movement of ions from cell - to- cell is called flux . it is further divided into main types 

(a ) Infux ( inward movement of ions into the cells )

(b) Efflux ( outward movement of ions out of the cells)