1.

Explain the differences between angiosperm and bryophyte (moss-like) reproduction, and how that
accounts for one of them dominating the terrestrial plant world today.

Angiosperms are vascular plants while Bryophytes are non-vascular plants. The plant bodies are thalloid
in bryophytes while the plant bodies in angiosperms are differentiated into true roots, stems and leaves.
Bryophytes usually reproduces through spores while angiosperms reproduces through seed.

2. Describe the roles of the hormones Auxin and Cytokinin in plants and the relationship between the
two hormones in plant growth.

Cytokinins and auxins often work together, and the ratios of these two groups of plant hormones after
most major growth periods during a plant’s lifetime. Cytoxinins counter the apical dominance induced
by auxins; they in conjunction with ethylene promote abscission of leaves, flower plants and fruits

3. What is phytochrome and how does it tell the cell to start greening?

Phytochromes are a class of photoreceptor in plants, bacteria and fungi use to detect light. They are
sensitive to light in the red and far-red region of the visible spectrum and can be classed as either
Type I, which are activated by far-red light, or Type II that are activated by red light.

4. Of the following macronutrients, choose three and explain their function in plants and the related
deficiency symptoms: Nitrogen, Potassium, Phosphorus, Sulfur, and Calcium.

Home » News » What's the function of Nitrogen (N) in plants?

What's the function of Nitrogen (N) in plants?

Amir Tajer Posted on November 02 2016

Nitrogen (N) is among the vital elements needed for the survival of living things. It being an abundant
common element on earth, it forms approximately 78% in the earth's atmosphere. Nitrogen is
chemically reacted with other compounds such as ammonia, nitric acid, organic nitrates and cyanides to
form unique compounds with totally different chemical and physical properties. Since plants cannot use
or take nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, uptake is through nitrogen forms that include
ammonium and nitrate.

Importance of Nitrogen to Plants

 Nitrogen is a paramount element for plants since it is a core component of many plant structures and
for both their internal and external metabolic processes. Plants are required to manufacture the
complex molecules through metabolism activities to survive by use of minerals from the soil that contain
nitrogen such as nitrate ions. Plants too, like animals, need some important macro and micro nutrient
elements including nitrogen, oxygen, hydrogen and carbon to keep them healthy. The wellness of plant
parts (leaves, roots, trunks e.t.c) depends on the availability of essential nutrients like nitrogen to
enhance the plant's biological processes including growth, absorption, transportation, and excretion.
Since nitrogen is present in different fertilizers, the plants through the roots can enhance uptake.

Where there is an insufficient supply of Nitrogen regardless of its abundance in the atmosphere, it leads
to severe plant disorders. Nitrogen deficiency in plants is likely to occur when other minerals like carbon
are added to the soil that would directly lead to the unavailability of it to the plants. This is because a lot of
Nitrogen will be used by soil organism to break down the harmful carbon sources "taking away" the
nitrogen from the soil. This will automatically translate to the reduction of chlorophyll content of plants,
therefore, affecting flowering, fruiting, starch and protein contents undermining plant health.

Potassium is an indispensable constituent for the correct development of plants. It is important in

photosynthesis, in the regulation of plants responses to light through opening and closing of stomata.
Potassium is also important in the biochemical reactions in plants. Basically, potassium (K) is responsible
for many other vital processes such as water and nutrient transportation, protein, and starch synthesis.

Some of the potassium deficiency symptoms may include:

 Chlorosis: May cause yellowing of leaves, the margin of the leaves may fall off, and also lead to shedding
and defoliation of the leaves.
 Stunted growth: Potassium being an important growth catalyst, its deficiency or insufficient might lead to
slow growth or poor developed roots and stems.
 Poor resistance to ecological changes: Reduced availability of potassium will directly result in less fluid
circulation and trans-location of nutrients in plants. This will directly make plants susceptible to
temperature changes.

5. What are some ways that a plant can respond to 1) wind, 2) differing hours of light per day, and 3)
touch? How do these responses play a role in a plant’s survival, reproduction, and nutrition uptake?
6. Explain how some plants can thrive on nutrients obtained from things other than the soil. By what
processes is this possible and how does it affect the other party(s) involved.