Biology XI:12 Mineral Nutrition(2 Role of Micro and Macro Nutrients

Role of Micro and Macro Nutrients Role of Micro and Macro Nutrients   Nutrient Absorbed as Role Macronutrients Nitrogen , and in some cases Required by all metabolically active cells Constitutes proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, and hormones Phosphorus ( or ) Constitutes cell membranes, proteins, all nucleic acids, and nucleotides Required for phosphorylation reaction Potassium K+ Required in abundance by meristematic tissues Maintains anion-cation balance in cells Involved in protein synthesis and activation of enzymes Involved in opening and closing of stomata Maintains turgidity of cells Calcium Ca2+ Synthesis of middle lamella (Ca pectate) of cell wall during cell division Formation of mitotic spindle Proper functioning of cell membranes Activates enzymes; help in regulating metabolism Magnesium Mg2+ DNA and RNA synthesis Constitutes ring structure of chlorophyll Maintains ribosome structure Activates enzymes of respiration and photosynthesis Sulphur Constitutes several coenzymes, vitamins (thiamine, biotin), and ferredoxin Found in amino acid cysteine and methionine Micronutrients Iron Fe3+ Constitutes proteins involved in electron transport system such as cytochromes and ferredoxin Activates catalase Essential for formation of chlorophyll Manganese Mn2+ Activates enzymes involved in photosynthesis, respiration, and nitrogen metabolism Splits water to liberate oxygen during photosynthesis Zinc Zn2+ Activates carboxylases Synthesis of auxins Copper Cu2+ Overall metabolism of plants Activates enzymes involved in redox reactions Boron or Uptake and utilization of calcium ion Involved in pollen germination Involved in cell elongation and differentiation Carbohydrate translocation Involved in membrane functioning Molybdenum Component of enzymes involved in nitrogen metabolism such as nitrogenase and nitrate reductase Chlorine Cl− Determines solute concentration and anion-cation balance in cells Involved in water splitting reaction of photosynthesis