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3 (a) Plants use nitrate ions to make proteins and chlorophyll - Edexcel - GCSE Biology: Combined Science - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 3
3 (a) Plants use nitrate ions to make proteins and chlorophyll. (i) What effects will a low nitrate ion concentration in soils have on plants? A reduced growth a... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:3 (a) Plants use nitrate ions to make proteins and chlorophyll - Edexcel - GCSE Biology: Combined Science - Question 3 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
What effects will a low nitrate ion concentration in soils have on plants?
Answer
Low nitrate ion concentration in soils can significantly impact plant growth and health.
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Reduced Growth: Nitrate ions are essential for synthesizing amino acids, which are the building blocks of proteins. Without adequate nitrates, plants cannot produce enough proteins for growth, leading to stunted or reduced growth.
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Dark Green Leaves: Generally, a lack of nitrates can cause leaves to become lighter in color due to insufficient chlorophyll production, which is vital for photosynthesis. Therefore, the correct answer is B: reduced growth and lighter green leaves.
Step 2
Which organisms convert nitrogen to nitrate ions during the nitrogen cycle?
Answer
In the nitrogen cycle, certain organisms play a crucial role by converting atmospheric nitrogen into forms that plants can utilize. The organisms responsible for this conversion are primarily A: bacteria. They perform nitrogen fixation, a process that transforms nitrogen gas (N₂) from the atmosphere into ammonia (NH₃) and subsequently into nitrate (NO₃⁻) ions through nitrification.