Question

Plant cells in the school garden need to absorb minerals from soil water for proper growth. The mineral concentration is often higher inside root cells than in the surrounding soil. How do plants overcome this challenge to get needed nutrients?
Question 1 options:

Root cells use active transport to pump minerals against concentration gradients using energy

Plants wait for rain to dilute minerals in soil water to favorable concentrations

Root cells use passive diffusion since it requires no cellular energy expenditure

Plants only absorb minerals when soil concentration exceeds cell concentration naturally

Answer 1

Root cells use active transport to pump minerals against concentration gradients using energy.

They use membrane transport proteins (H+-ATPase and proton-coupled symporters or ATP-driven pumps) to move ions like K+, NO3-, and PO4^3- into cells even when soil concentrations are lower.