AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
To produce proteins, plants also use nitrate ions that are absorbed from…
Full specification wording
Uses of glucose from photosynthesis: To produce proteins, plants also use nitrate ions that are absorbed from the soil.
Plants produce glucose during photosynthesis, but also require nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to synthesise proteins.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 2 of 2
- 4 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Plants produce glucose during photosynthesis, but also require nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to synthesise proteins. Nitrate ions are taken up by root hair cells via active transport and combined with glucose to form amino acids. These amino acids are joined together to build proteins, which are essential for plant growth and the production of new cells. Consequently, a plant suffering from nitrate deficiency exhibits stunted growth due to reduced protein synthesis. Farmers use fertilisers containing nitrates to prevent these deficiencies, ensure healthy growth and improve crop yield. (Note: chlorosis is caused by magnesium deficiency, not nitrate deficiency).
What earns the marks
- Nitrate ions are absorbed from the soil by root hair cells, typically using active transport against a concentration gradient.
- Plants use glucose and nitrate ions to synthesise amino acids, which are then joined to form proteins.
- Proteins are essential for plant growth, cell repair and enzyme production.
- A lack of nitrate ions in the soil leads to stunted growth in plants due to reduced protein synthesis.
- Fertilisers can be added to nutrient-poor soil to provide essential nitrate ions and improve plant growth and crop yield.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Attributing yellow leaves (chlorosis) to a lack of nitrates.
Put it right: Yellowing is caused by a lack of magnesium, whereas nitrate deficiency causes stunted growth.
Stating that plants absorb nitrogen gas directly from the air.
Put it right: Plants must absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrate ions from the soil.
Confusing nitrate ions (NO3-) with nitrite ions (NO2-).
Put it right: Plants primarily absorb and use nitrate ions from the soil to build amino acids.
Exam tips
- When explaining nitrate deficiency, always link stunted growth specifically to a lack of proteins.
- Always specify 'nitrate ions' rather than just 'nitrogen' when discussing what roots absorb from the soil.
Try the lesson
The start of the Uses of glucose from photosynthesis: To produce proteins, plants also use nitrate ions that are absorbed from the soil. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which ions do plants absorb from the soil to produce proteins?
Listen
Plants produce glucose during photosynthesis, but also require nitrate ions absorbed from the soil to synthesise proteins. Nitrate ions are taken up by root hair cells via active transport and combined with glucose to form amino acids. These amino acids are joined together to build proteins, which are essential for plant growth and the production of new cells. Consequently, a plant suffering from nitrate deficiency exhibits stunted growth due to reduced protein synthesis. Farmers use fertilisers containing nitrates to prevent these deficiencies, ensure healthy growth and improve crop yield. Note: chlorosis is caused by magnesium deficiency, not nitrate deficiency). A strong answer earns marks for these points. Nitrate ions are absorbed from the soil by root hair cells, typically using active transport against a concentration gradient. Plants use glucose and nitrate ions to synthesise amino acids, which are then joined to form proteins. Proteins are essential for plant growth, cell repair and enzyme production. A lack of nitrate ions in the soil leads to stunted growth in plants due to reduced protein synthesis. A common slip: Attributing yellow leaves (chlorosis) to a lack of nitrates. Instead, yellowing is caused by a lack of magnesium, whereas nitrate deficiency causes stunted growth. Exam tip: When explaining nitrate deficiency, always link stunted growth specifically to a lack of proteins.
Key words
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Active transport
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Protein synthesis
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Plant growth and deficiency symptoms
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Mineral nutrition in plants
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See every definition
- Active transport
- The process by which root hair cells take up nitrate ions from the soil, typically against a concentration gradient.
- Protein synthesis
- The building of proteins by joining together amino acids, which are formed from glucose and nitrate ions.
- Plant growth and deficiency symptoms
- Proteins are essential for plant growth, so a lack of nitrate ions leads to stunted growth due to reduced protein synthesis.
- Mineral nutrition in plants
- Plants absorb nitrate ions from the soil to synthesise amino acids and proteins, and fertilisers can be added to nutrient-poor soil to provide essential nitrate ions.
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