Nitrate and magnesium: what plants need
Why plants need nitrate ions (for amino acids and proteins) and magnesium ions (for chlorophyll), and what deficiency does to growth. With Vietnamese subtitles. A “Check yourself” section with typed questions is below the video on the site.
Practice
- Check yourself: Nitrate and magnesium: what plants need – Type the missing words, put the steps in order and write a short answer. No multiple choice: you have to remember it. Vietnamese help for every question.
Transcript
Plants also need mineral ions from the soil. The roots absorb them, dissolved in water. Then the xylem carries them up to the leaves.
Nitrate ions are used to make amino acids. Carbohydrates contain only carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. But amino acids also contain nitrogen. The plant joins amino acids together to make proteins, for growth.
Without enough nitrate, the plant cannot make enough protein. The growth is stunted, and the older leaves turn yellow.
Magnesium ions are used to make chlorophyll. Each chlorophyll molecule has a magnesium ion at its centre.
Without enough magnesium, the plant cannot make enough chlorophyll. The leaves turn yellow. So there is less photosynthesis, and the plant grows poorly.
Remember. Roots absorb mineral ions from the soil. Nitrate is used to make amino acids and proteins. Magnesium is used to make chlorophyll. And a deficiency causes poor growth and yellow leaves.
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