What is the difference between a macronutrient and a micronutrient?
- a. The size of the atoms
- b. The amount required by the plant
- c. The use by multicellular organisms (macroorganisms) versus microorganisms
- d. The source of the nutrient
Introduction:
Every living organism like plants, humans and animals, all require essential nutrients which are chemical substances important for metabolic reactions, growth, development and reproduction. There are two types of nutrients: micronutrients and macronutrients.
Answer to Problem 1MCQ
Correct answer:
Macronutrients are those nutrients which are required in large amounts and micronutrients are those which required in small amounts. There are total 9 macronutrients like carbon, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen are some of them. There are 7 micronutrients. Chlorine, iron, boron and zinc are some of them. Therefore option (b) is the correct answer.
Explanation of Solution
Reason for the correct statement:
The amount of nutrients required by plants is the basis of differences between macro and micronutrients. The nutrients needed in large amounts by the plants are macronutrients and those required in smaller quantity are micronutrients.
Option (b) is given as “the amount required by the plant”.
As, “amount required by the plant is the basis of difference between a macronutrient and a micronutrient”, is the right answer.
Hence option (b) is correct.
Reasons for the incorrect statements:
Option (a), is given as “the size of the atoms”.
The abundance or quantity of nutrients by the organisms forms the basis of difference between micro and macronutrients and not the size of the atom. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Option (c), is given as “the use by multicellular organisms (microorganisms) versus microorganisms”.
Micro and macronutrients are used by all the organisms whether they are multicellular or microorganisms and therefore it is not the basis for the difference between micro and macronutrients. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Option (d), is given as “the source of the nutrient”.
A single source may contain either both micro and macronutrients or may contain only one type of nutrient. Thus, source of nutrient does not make the basis for the difference between micro and macronutrients. Hence, it is a wrong answer.
Hence options (a), (c), and (d), are incorrect.
Macronutrients are those nutrients which are required in large amounts and micronutrients are those which are required in small quantities by the plants.
Want to see more full solutions like this?
Chapter 23 Solutions
Biology: Concepts and Investigations
- Which statement correctly describes carbon fixation? a. the conversion of CO2 to an organic compound b. the use of RUBISCO to form 3-PGA c. the production of carbohydrate molecules from G3P d. the formation of RuBP from G3P molecules e. the use of ATP and NADPH to reduce CO2arrow_forwardGive some examples of plant macronutrients and their sourcesarrow_forwardexplain why plant growth is important to producers.arrow_forward
- Which statement explains how ATP and its phosphate groups are related to the energy that is used in plant processes? ADP loses a phosphate group to create ATP, which stores energy for making sugars. ADP gains a phosphate group to create ATP, which stores energy for making sugars. ADP loses a phosphate group to create ATP; this process instantly releases energy for making sugars. ADP gains a phosphate group to create ATP; this process results from sugar production.arrow_forwardIn home gardening, plants are good sources for nutrition, choose which statement is true? a. Tuberous plants are rich source of carbohydrates and an example would be cassava b. Monggo and lima beans are leafy vegetables and good sources for Vit A, B, and C c. Phytochemicals (anthocyanins, lycopenes, xanthenes) in plants are harmful to humans d. Calcium from plants has the same bio-availability to the human body as from milkarrow_forwarddescribe the symptoms of nutrient deficiency in plants.arrow_forward
- What fraction of the soil represents the most active? A. Clay B. Pore spaces C. Humus D. Soil colloidsarrow_forwardWould you expect to find minerals not needed by the plant in the apoplast? in the symplast? Explain your answer.arrow_forwardAn essential nutrient that plant require only small amounts of that cannot be transported from the tissue it was originally deposited in is classified as a Select one: O a. Mobile macronutrient O b. Immobile micronutrient O c. Mobile micronutrient O d. Water O e. Immobile macronutrientarrow_forward
- Approximately 10 percent of water within the atmosphere has been released by plants by transpiration. Which is the best method for measuring the transpiration rate within an individual plant? A. Measure osmotic pressure within the guard cells to determine amount of time stomata are open. B. Weigh the plant before and after a 24 hour period while accounting for evaporation from the soil. C. Access the abiotic conditions and how the plant has adapted to its native environment. D. Measure water loss by placing a plastic bag over a stem of the plant and subtracting the amount of water released into the bag from the amount of water within the soil.arrow_forwardPlants need nitrogen to produce proteins and other important chemicals. Describe how nitrogen in the atmosphere makes its way into plants.arrow_forwardAside from sweet corn, provide some example of plants that has high in sugar content but low in starch.arrow_forward
- Concepts of BiologyBiologyISBN:9781938168116Author:Samantha Fowler, Rebecca Roush, James WisePublisher:OpenStax College