sustainability and plant minerals

sustainability

using resources in a way that meets the needs of the present generation while meeting the needs of the future generations

renewable

can be used indefinitely without running out as they can be regrown

nonrenewable

once you’ve used it all it will run out

how can we use plant fibres to contribute to sustainability?

• make ropes and fabrics out of them to replace ones made from plastic (oil - nonrenewable resource)

• plant fibres are renewable and biodegradable

• easier to grow and process in developing countries

• cheaper

biodegradable

can be broken down by microbes and doesn’t remain in the environment for many years

how can we use starch to contribute to sustainability?

• found in all plants

• we can make plastics out of starch (bioplastics) to replace plastic made from oil

• more sustainable - can be regrown

• can make biofuel for vehicles (like bioethanol)

• less need for fossil fuels

what do plants need to survive?

• water

• magnesium ions

• nitrate ions

• calcium ions

use of water in plants

• for photosynthesis

• transport mineral ions

• structural support (vacuole)

• regulate temperature (evaporating from leaves)

use of magnesium ions in plants

• for the production of chlorophyll

• needed for photosynthesis

use of nitrate ions in plants

• for the production of DNA

• for the production of proteins

• for the production of chlorophyll

• growth, fruit production, seed production

use of calcium ions in plants

• component in the cell walls

• plant growth

how to investigate plant mineral deficiencies (1 mineral)

1. make 3 nutrient broths with all the essential minerals needed for a plant but with varying concentrations of calcium ions solution (high, medium, low)

2. split 9 test tubes into 3 groups for the 3 concentrations of calcium ions

3. cover each of the tubes with foil so no light enters the nutrient broth causing other organisms to grow (like algae)

4. take 9 seedlings of the same plant at the same age and measure the mass (record them)

5. suspend them in the nutrient broth using cling film or cotton balls

6. place in a well lit area for 2 weeks each (topping up nutrient broth)

7. remove the plant and blot dry to remeasure their mass

8. calculate the mean change in mass for each nutrient broth

9. note down visual differences

how to investigate all plant minerals at once

• do the same experiment but instead of the different concentrations of the mineral have each group of test tube lack one mineral completely

• make a control with all the nutrients and one with no nutrients

• compare the grown and colouration in the leaves