), MEDICAL
NEWTON CLASSES + BOARD, NDA, FOUNDATION
Chapter 9
Mineral Nutrition
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Solutions
LI SECTION - A
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Objective Type Questions
1. Hydroponics refers to growing plants in
ON A
(1) Macronutrients culture medium (2) Water
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(3) Solution of mineral nutrients (4) Soil
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Sol. Answer (3)
Hydroponics is the technique of growing plants with their roots immersed in nutrient solution.
(3) Disorders caused by the absence/deficiency of an element can be corrected only by adding that specific
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element
(4) Element must be directly involved in plant metabolism
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6. A macronutrient is
(1) Manganese (2) Zinc (3) Iron (4) Magnesium
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Sol. Answer (4)
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Magnesium come under 17 essential elements in which 9 are macronutrients, and Mg is one of
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macronutrients.
7. Select the odd one out from the following w.r.t. macronutrient.
(1) Nitrogen (2) Phosphorus (3) Iron (4) Sulphur
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Sol. Answer (3)
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Iron is a micronutrient.
ON A
8. Which of the following is a micronutrient?
(1) Ca
C (2) Mg (3) K (4) Ni
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Sol. Answer (4)
Nickel comes under 8 micronutrients, rest are macronutrients.
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Zn activates alcohol dehydrogenase
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Zn2+ Carboxylases
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Sulphur is a constituent of coenzyme A.
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Sol. Answer (3)
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Ca and Mg form middle lamella.
Calcium Magnesium
ON A
pectate pectate
C
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14. An element which helps in joining the subunits of ribosomes is
(1) Ca (2) Mg (3) K (4) S
Sol. Answer (2)
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Magnesium concentration decides wheather two subunits of ribosomes will remain associated or separate.
2+
50 S Mg 50 S
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30 S 30 S
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15. Plants which are deficient in zinc will show reduction in the biosynthesis of
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Stabilize binding is a dehydrogenase enzyme, facilitate interconversion between
+
of substrates alcohols or ketones with reduction of NAD to NADH
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19. A macronutrient which is component of all organic compounds but is not a mineral element is
(1) Fe (2) P (3) Mg (4) C
Sol. Answer (4)
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C, H & O are considered as non-mineral elements because they are obtained from CO2 and H2O.
A
20. Component of nitrogenase and nitrate reductase is
(1) Mo (2) Mn (3) Co (4) N
ON A
Sol. Answer (1)
Nitrogenase is made up of two subunits.
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Mo-Fe Fe
Bigger Smaller
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Its deficiency first appear in younger leaves because it cannot be mobilised to younger leaves from older leaves.
22. The essential element that activates enzymes rubisco and pepco, also
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23. All are the elements whose deficiency symptoms first appear in the older tissues, except
(1) Nitrogen (2) Calcium (3) Potassium (4) Magnesium
Sol. Answer (2)
Immobile element deficiency first in young tissues.
N, K & Mg are mobile elements deficiency first appears in older tissues.
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(3) Help in opening and closing of stomata (4) Synthesize auxins
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Sol. Answer (4)
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Zn is used for auxin synthesis. Other three works done by potassium.
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Sol. Answer (3)
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Nickle is the component of enzyme urease.
27. Deficiency symptoms of an element tend to appear first in young leaves. It indicates that element is relatively
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immobile. Which one of the following elemental deficiencies would show such symptoms?
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(1) S (2) Mg (3) N (4) K
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Sol. Answer (1)
Mg, N & K are immobile.
32. Mark the correct sequence of steps for the development of root nodules in legumes
a. Formation of infection thread.
b. Division of cortical and pericyclic cells.
c. Curling of root hairs.
d. Leghaemoglobin synthesis.
(1) a, c, b, d (2) b, d, a, c (3) c, b, a, d (4) c, a, b, d
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Sol. Answer (4)
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First curling of root hairs
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Formation of infectious thread
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A
Leghaemoglobin synthesis for acting as oxygen scavanger
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33. Which group of micronutrients is required for mitochondrial and photosynthetic electron transport?
(1) Ca, K, Na
C (2) Cu, Fe (3) Co, Ni (4) N, P, K
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Sol. Answer (2)
Cu used in complex IV Cu+ to Cu2+
34. Match the following and choose the correct combination from the options given.
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Column I Column II
a. Potassium (i) Germination of pollen grains
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36. Deficiency of which group of elements can cause inhibition of cell division in plants?
(1) N, K, S (2) Mg, Cu, P (3) Ca, Mg, Cu (4) N, K, Ca
Sol. Answer (1)
N, K & S causing stunted growth due to inhibition of cell division.
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(1) Ammonification (2) Nitrification (3) Denitrification (4) Biological N2-fixation
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Sol. Answer (2)
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Conversion of ammonia into nitrate is called nitrification.
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39. The free living, aerobic and saprotrophic N2-fixing microbe is
(1) Azotobacter (2) Rhodospirillum (3) Rhizobium (4) Anabaena
Sol. Answer (1)
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Azotobacter is a free living saprotrophic, aerobic bacteria.
A
40. Reaction carried out by N2 metabolising microbes include
I. 2NH3 + 3O2 2NO2 + 2H+ + 2H2O
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II. 2NO2 + O2 2NO3
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Which of the following statements about these equations is not true?
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(1) Step I is carried out by Nitrosomonas or Nitrococcus
(2) Step II is carried out by Nitrobacter
(3) Both steps I and II can be called nitrification
(4) Bacteria carrying out these steps are usually photoautotrophs
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41. How many ATP are required for the formation of one molecule of NH3 by the nitrogenase enzyme?
(1) Six (2) Eight (3) Twelve (4) Sixteen
Sol. Answer (2)
R.
16 2NH3
8 1NH3
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(1) To convert N2 to NH3 (2) To convert NH3 to N2
(3) To supply O2 for nitrogenase activity (4) To protect nitrogenase from oxygen
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Sol. Answer (4)
LHb is used to protect nitrogenase from oxygen. Oxygen is a strong electron acceptor therefore, harmful for
nitrogenase.
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46. The given equation refers to
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N2 + 8e + 8H+ + 16ATP
2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP + 16Pi
(1) Ammonification (2) Nitrification (3) Denitrification (4) Nitrogen fixation
ON A
Sol. Answer (4)
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Conversion of nitrogen into ammonia is known as nitrogen fixation.
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48. Select the incorrect statement with respect to the biological nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium
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SECTION - B
Objective Type Questions
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(4) Requires prevention of reaction of light with roots
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Sol. Answer (4)
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Because in hydroponic we just wanted roots to be immersed in nutrient solution and want to grow them using
it.
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(1) Direct role in metabolism
(3) Deficiency causes hunger signs
(2) Requirement is specific
(4) Dispensible for growth
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Sol. Answer (4)
It is indispensible for growth.
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3. Which is not a true statement regarding macronutrients?
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(1) Forms plant structure (2) Usually become toxic in excess
(3) No role in electron transfer (4) Develop osmotic potential
Sol. Answer (2)
No, they are not toxic in excess, micronutrients are toxic in excess.
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(1) Fe and Mg (2) Mo and Ca (3) Cu and Ca (4) Ca and K
Sol. Answer (1)
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Fe and Mg
Mg present in ring of chlorophyll
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(1) Magnesium (2) Manganese (3) Iron (4) Sulphur
A
Sol. Answer (1)
Magnesium is chleated in pyrrole ring.
ON A
11. Which is not a trace element?
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(1) Mn (2) Cu (3) Mo (4) K
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Sol. Answer (4)
Potassium is a macronutrient.
The elements mostly deficient in soil is called as critical elements like N, P & K.
14. Tryptophan synthesis, carboxylase activity and little leaf of plants are all associated with
(1) Zn (2) B (3) Ca (4) Cu
Sol. Answer (1)
These all are associated with Zn i.e., Tryptophan synthesis carboxylase activity and little leaf of plants.
15. Mineral which is part of CoA, Fd, thiamine and lipoic acid is :
(1) Mn (2) Fe (3) S (4) Ca
Sol. Answer (3)
It is used in synthesis of some vitamins, CoA and ferrodoxin and lipoic acid.
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It occurs due to deficiency symptoms of mineral nutrients.
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17. (a) Moderate decrease or increase of micronutrients causes deficiency and toxicity symptoms respectively.
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(b) Excess of manganese causes toxicity of iron, calcium and molybdenum.
(c) A macronutrient is said to be toxic when present below a critical concentration.
(1) Only (a) is correct (2) Only (b) is correct
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(3) (b) & (c) are correct (4) (a) & (c) are correct
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Sol. Answer (1)
Movement of electrolytes through roots is generally against electro-chemical gradient and require energy.
Because, it is an active process.
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21. The process of conversion of 2NO3 2NO2 2NO N2O N2 is called ________ and is done by
(1) Nitrification, Nitrosomonas (2) Denitrification, Pseudomonas
(3) Nitrate assimilation, Nitrogenase (4) Ammonification, Bacillus
Sol. Answer (2)
2NO3
N2 is denitrification and it is caused by Pseudomonas denitrification.
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Oxidation
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Reduction
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23. Conversion of NO3 NO2 NH3 is called ______ and is catalysed by ______.
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(1) Nitrate assimilation, nitrate and nitrite reductase (2) Nitrification, nitrate and nitrite reductase
(3) Ammonification, glutamate dehydrogenase (4) Denitrification, transaminase
Sol. Answer (1)
NO3
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Nitrate reductase
NO2
Nitrogen
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Nitrite reductase assimilation
NO2 NH3
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24. Most common form of nitrogen uptake and usable forms for plants are respectively
(1) NO3; NO2 (2) NH3 ; NO3 (3) NO3; NH3 (4) NH3 ; NO2
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Sol. Answer (3)
NO3 is form in which nitrogen is mainly absorbed. NH3 is usable form for plants.
Rhizobium, Azotobacter, Franka, Klebsiella, Anabaena and Nostoc, these all are diazotrophs i.e., organisms
that fix atmospheric nitrogen into usable form.
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26. Which is not true for nitrogenase enzyme in root nodules in legumes?
(1) Synthesized by nif genes of Rhizobium (2) Site of reduction of N2 into NH3
(3) It is a Mo-F protein (4) Resistant to O2 conc.
Sol. Answer (4)
It is not resistant to oxygen concentration.
Oxygen concentration is toxic to Nitrogenase enzyme.
28. How many electron and protons are required to fix a dinitrogen?
(1) 32 each (2) 8 each (3) 16 each (4) 4 each
Sol. Answer (2)
8e each.
N2 + 8e + 8H+ + 16 ATP 2NH3 + H2 + 16ADP + 16 Pi
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(b) Root hairs curl by action of nitrogenase and plant nod factors.
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(c) During symbiotic N2 fixation ATP is provided by legume plant
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(1) (b), (c) (2) (a), (c) (3) only (c) (4) (a), (b)
Sol. Answer (2)
Nitrogenase is a heterodimeric dimer and during symbiotic nitrogen fixation ATP are provided by legume plant.
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But root hair curling is not caused by nitrogenase.
A
31. Nitrogenase enzyme found in root nodules in legumes contains
(1) Mo, Mn, S (2) Co, Mo, Ca (3) Mo, Fe, S (4) Mo, B, S
ON A
Sol. Answer (3)
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Mo, Fe, S (Present as cofactor)
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32. The amino acid which plays a central role in nitrogen metabolism is/are
(1) Glutamic acid (2) -ketoglutaric acid
.
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It is the primary amino acid through which other amino acids are formed through transamination
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34. Ureides are preferred forms for storage and transport of amines in
(1) Triticum aestivum (2) Solanum nigrum (3) Glycine max (4) Allium cepa
Sol. Answer (3)
Glycine i.e., Soyabean
Others are Kidney pea, Peanut, Souther pea.
SECTION - C
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Sol. Answer (2)
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2. Minerals known to be required in large amounts for plant growth include [AIPMT-2015]
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(1) Magnesium, sulphur, iron, zinc (2) Phosphorus, potassium, sulphur, calcium
(3) Calcium, magnesium, manganese, copper (4) Potassium, phosphorus, selenium, boron
Sol. Answer (2)
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Macronutrients are required in large amounts for plant growth.
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3. Deficiency symptoms of nitrogen and potassium are visible first in [AIPMT-2014]
(1) Senescent leaves (2) Young leaves (3) Roos (4) Buds
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Sol. Answer (1)
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Nitrogen and potassium are mobite elements.
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4. The first stable product of fixation of atomspheric nitrogen in leguminous plants is: [NEET-2013]
(1) Ammonia (2) NO3 (3) Glutamate (4) NO2
.
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(1) Phosphorus is a constituent of cell membranes, certain nucleic acids and all proteins
(2) Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter are chemoautotrophs
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(3) Anabaena and Nostoc are capable of fixing nitrogen in free-living state also
(4) Root nodule forming nitrogen fixeres live as aeroebes under free-living conditions
Sol. Answer (1)
Phosphorus is not constituent of all proteins.
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(3) Convert free nitrogen to nitrogen compounds (4) Convert proteins into ammonia
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Sol. Answer (2)
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Oxidises ammonia to nitrate
NH3 NO2 NO3
Nitrification
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10. The function of leghaemoglobin in the root nodules of legumes is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
A
(1) Expression of nif gene (2) Inhibition of nitrogenase activity
(3) Oxygen removal (4) Nodule differentiation
Sol. Answer (3)
ON A
Leghaemoglobin acts as oxygen scavenger.
C
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11. Which one of the following elements in plants is not remobilised? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Sulphur (2) Phosphorus (3) Calcium (4) Potassium
Sol. Answer (3)
.
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Azolla.
13. Which one of the following helps in absorption of phosphorus from soil by plants? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2011]
(1) Anabaena (2) Glomus (3) Rhizobium (4) Frankia
Sol. Answer (2)
14. Which one of the following is essential for photolysis of water? [AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) Copper (2) Boron (3) Manganese (4) Zinc
Sol. Answer (3)
Mn is essential for photolysis of water.
15. Which one of the following is not an essential mineral element for plants while the remaining three are?
[AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) Cadmium (2) Phosphorus (3) Iron (4) Manganese
Sol. Answer (1)
Cadmium is not an essential element. It does not come under 17 essential elements.
16. Leguminous plants are able to fix atmospheric nitrogen through the process of symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Which one of the following statements is not correct during this process of nitrogen fixation?
[AIPMT (Mains)-2011]
(1) Leghaemoglobin scavenges oxygen and is pinkish in colour
(2) Nodules act as sites for nitrogen fixation
(3) The enzyme nitrogenase catalyses the conversion of atmospheric N2 to NH3
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(4) Nitrogenase is insensitive to oxygen
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Sol. Answer (4)
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Nitrogen is sensitive to oxygen, thus leghaemoglobin acts as oxygen sacavenger.
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17. An element playing important role in nitrogen fixation is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2010]
(1) Molybdenum (2) Copper (3) Manganese (4) Zinc
LI
Sol. Answer (1)
Mo is an element which plays role is nitrogen fixation
A
Mo-Fe
Nitrogenase
Fe
ON A
C
18. The common nitrogen-fixer in paddy fields is [AIPMT (Prelims)-2010]
M
(1) Frankia (2) Rhizobium (3) Azospirillum (4) Oscillatoria
Sol. Answer (3)
Oscillatoria is a common nitrogen fixer in paddy fields.
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Mg is a macronutrient.
R.
22. Nitrogen fixation in root nodules of Alnus is brought about by [AIPMT (Prelims)-2008]
(1) Azorhizobium (2) Bradyhizobium (3) Clostridium (4) Frankia
Sol. Answer (4)
Franka causes nitrogen-fixation in Alnus.
24. Which one of the following elements is not an essential micronutrient for plant growth?
S
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[AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
(1) Ca (2) Mn (3) Zn (4) Cu
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Sol. Answer (1)
It is a macronutrients.
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(1) At present it is not possible to grow maize without chemical fertilizers.
A
(2) Extensive use of chemical fertilizers may lead to eutrophication of nearby water bodies.
(3) Both Azotobacter and Rhizobium fix atmospheric nitrogen in root nodules of plants.
ON A
(4) Cyanobacteria such as Anabaena and Nostoc are important mobilizers of phosphates and potassium for
plant nutrition in soil.
C
M
Sol. Answer (2)
Excess growth of living organism in water bodies due to fertilizers are called eutrophication.
(1) Cell wall development (2) Holding cells together (3) Protein synthesis (4) Chlorophyll synthesis
Sol. Answer (4)
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27. About 98 percent of the mass of every living organism is composed of just six elements including carbon,
hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen and: [AIPMT (Prelims)-2007]
R.
28. Sulphur is an important nutrient for optimum growth and productivity in [AIPMT (Prelims)-2006]
(1) Pulse crops (2) Cereals (3) Fibre crops (4) Oilseed crops
Sol. Answer (1)
29. The deficiencies of micro-nutrients, not only affects growth of plants but also vital functions such as
photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron flow. Among the list given below, which group of three elements
shall affect most, both photosynthetic and mitochondrial electron transport? [AIPMT (Prelims)-2005]
(1) Cu, Mn, Fe (2) Co, Ni, Mo (3) Mn, Co, Ca (4) Ca, X, Na
Sol. Answer (1)
Cu Mn Fe
31. Which one of the following elements is almost non-essential for plants?
(1) Zn (2) Na (3) Ca (4) Mo
S
Sol. Answer (2)
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Na is almost non-essential because required in micro amount.
SE
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32. Plants take zinc in the form of
(1) ZnSO4 (2) Zn++ (3) ZnO (4) Zn
Sol. Answer (2)
It is absorbed in the form of Zn2+ ions.
LI
A
33. Element necessary for the middle lamella is
(1) Ca (2) Zn (3) K (4) Cu
Sol. Answer (1)
ON A
Ca is necessary for middle lamella. Calcium pectate forms this middle lamella.
C
M
34. Boron in green plants assists in
(1) Activation of enzymes (2) Acting as enzyme co-factor
(3) Photosynthesis (4) Sugar transport
Sol. Answer (4)
.
38. When the plants are grown in magnesium deficient but urea rich soil, the symptoms expressed are
(1) Yellowish leaves (2) Colourless petiole (3) Dark green leaves (4) Shoot apex die
Sol. Answer (1)
Mg deficiency causes chlorosis.
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(1) Cu (2) Zn (3) Mn (4) Fe
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Sol. Answer (3)
SE
Grey spot of oat are caused by deficiency of Mn.
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41. Study the cycle shown below and select the option which gives correct words for all the four blanks A, B, C
and D.
LI Atmospheric N2
A
Biological Industrial Electrical A
N2 fixation N2 fixation N2 fixation
ON A
NH3 NO2 NO3
C Soil N Pool
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B (Uptake)
.
Decaying biomass C
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Options:
R.
42. Which two distinct microbial processes are responsible for the release of fixed nitrogen as dinitrogen gas (N2)
to the atmosphere?
(1) Anaerobic ammonium oxidation, and denitrification
(2) Aerobic nitrate oxidation, and nitrite reduction
(3) Decomposition of organic nitrogen, and conversion of dinitrogen to ammonium compounds
(4) Enteric fermentation in cattle, and nitrogen fixation by Rhizobium in root nodules of legumes
Sol. Answer (1)
NO3
N2
Dentrification
NH3 NO2 NO3 i.e., Oxidation
S
Nitrification
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44. Passive absorption of minerals depend on
SE
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(1) Temperature (2) Temperature and metabolic inhibitor
(3) Metabolic inhibitor (4) Auxin
Sol. Answer (1)
Passive absorption of mineral depends on temperature
LI
A
45. In root nodules of legumes, leg-haemoglobin is important because it
(1) Transports oxygen to the root nodule (2) Acts as an oxygen scavenger
(3) Provides energy to the nitrogen fixing bacterium (4) Acts as a catalyst in transamination
ON A
Sol. Answer (2)
C
LHb acts as an oxygen scavenger.
M
46. Leghemoglobin is
(1) An oxygen carrier in human blood (2) A protein used as food supplement
(3) An oxygen scavenger in root nodules (4) A plant protein with high lysine content
.
(3) Legumes fix nitrogen only through specialized bacteria that live in their leaves
(4) Legumes are incapable of fixing nitrogen
Sol. Answer (1)
Legumes fix nitrogen only through specialised bacteria that live in their roots. (Bacteroids)
49. Which one of the following mineral elements play an important role in biological nitrogen fixation ?
(1) Copper (2) Manganese (3) Zinc (4) Molybdenum
Sol. Answer (4)
Mo-Fe
Nitrogenase
Fe
51. If by radiation all nitrogenase enzyme are inactivated, then there will be no
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(1) Fixation of nitrogen in legumes (2) Fixation of atmospheric nitrogen
SE
(3) Conversion from nitrate to nitrite in legumes (4) Conversion from ammonium to nitrate in soil
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Sol. Answer (1)
No fixation of nitrogen in legume because it occurs through nitrogenase enzyme.
52. Roots of which plant contains a red pigment which have affinity for oxygen?
LI
(1) Carrot (2) Soyabean (3) Mustard (4) Radish
A
Sol. Answer (1)
Carotenoids pick up nascent oxygen by means of their double bonds and change the same into harmless
molecular state.
ON A
C
M
SECTION - D
Assertion-Reason Type Questions
1. A : Some mineral nutrients are essential.
R : They can be synthesized by the plants.
.
are not synthesized in the plant body but they are absorbed as mineral nutrients from soil, atmosphere etc.
RA
WT
Bacterial cell enters only polyploid cells of root cortex and bacterial cells also provide/produce cytokinin that
induces polyploidy.
3. A : Chelating agents used in improving availability of some minerals in soil are actually electron acceptors.
R : They increase solubility of some minerals in acidic soils.
Sol. Answer (4)
The agent which keeps metal in the soluble state is called chelating agents.
6. A : Manganese toxicity cause brown spots, chlorotic veins and inhibition of calcium translocation to shoot apex.
R : Toxic effects may be due to direct excess of micronutrients or its interference in the absorption and
functioning of other nutrients.
Sol. Answer (1)
Manganese toxicity is induce the deficiency of Fe, Mg and Ca.
7. A : Jar for nutrient solution culture contains a split cover with holes which hold a bent tube for aeration.
S
R : Regular aeration of culture solution is necessary for proper growth and activities of roots.
HI S S
Sol. Answer (1)
SE
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Aeration tube help in aeration which is necessary for proper growth.
8. A : All the diverse minerals element found in plants are not essential for them.
R : Some plants accumulate heavy and toxic minerals such as gold and selenium from the soil.
LI
Sol. Answer (2)
There 60 found in protoplasm but not all are essential. Also this is true that some plants accumulate
A
radioactive isotopes when growing in near by areas like nuclear plants.
9. A : Ammonia is oxidised first to nitrate then to nitrite by the action of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter
ON A
respectively.
C
M
R : Nitrite thus formed is absorbed by leaves.
Nitrate formed is absorbed by plants and transported to leaves where reduced to form ammonia.
.
RA
WT