Glucose
Glucose is the first food chemical which plants make. This is often stored as the complex carbohydrate, starch. Plants though need more than just this chemical in order to grow. Glucose is used as a starting material to make all the different chemicals plants need.
For example, glucose is combined with ammonia (which plants absorb from the soil in the form of nitrates) to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, vital for growth and maintenance.
The diagram below shows what glucose can be converted into.
Glucose is the first food chemical which plants make. This is often stored as the complex carbohydrate, starch. Plants though need more than just this chemical in order to grow. Glucose is used as a starting material to make all the different chemicals plants need.
For example, glucose is combined with ammonia (which plants absorb from the soil in the form of nitrates) to make amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, vital for growth and maintenance.
The diagram below shows what glucose can be converted into.
Plant mineral Requirements
Plants need a number of minerals to live healthly. These mineral ions may be needed to make certain chemicals or needed to make certain reactions work properly. Plant absorb these minerals from the soil when water is absorbed.
Element Mineral Salt Why it is needed Deficiency Disease
Nitrogen Nitrates To make proteins Poor growth, yellow leaves.
Sulphur Sulphates To make proteins Poor growth, yellow leaves
Phosphorus Phosphates Needed to make DNA and chemicals Poor growth, especially of roots.
involved in respiration
Magnesium Magnesium salts To make chlorophyll Yellowing between veins of leaves.
Iron Iron salts To make chlorophyll; iron is not contained Yellowing in young leaves.
in chlorophyll but is needed for its manufacture.
Potassium Potassium salts To keep correct salt balance for cells Mottled leaves
Element Mineral Salt Why it is needed Deficiency Disease
Nitrogen Nitrates To make proteins Poor growth, yellow leaves.
Sulphur Sulphates To make proteins Poor growth, yellow leaves
Phosphorus Phosphates Needed to make DNA and chemicals Poor growth, especially of roots.
involved in respiration
Magnesium Magnesium salts To make chlorophyll Yellowing between veins of leaves.
Iron Iron salts To make chlorophyll; iron is not contained Yellowing in young leaves.
in chlorophyll but is needed for its manufacture.
Potassium Potassium salts To keep correct salt balance for cells Mottled leaves