How do plants use active transport in nutrient absorption?

Plants use active transport to absorb nutrients from the soil through their root cells against a concentration gradient.

Active transport is a process that allows plants to absorb essential nutrients from the soil, even when the concentration of these nutrients is lower in the soil than in the plant cells. This process requires energy, which is provided by ATP (adenosine triphosphate), a molecule that stores and transfers energy in cells.

The roots of plants are covered with root hairs, which increase the surface area for absorption. These root hairs contain specialised cells called root hair cells. The cell membrane of these root hair cells is semi-permeable, allowing certain substances to pass through while blocking others.

The active transport process begins when the plant's root hair cells use energy from ATP to pump hydrogen ions out of the cell. This creates a concentration gradient, with a higher concentration of hydrogen ions outside the cell than inside. This gradient drives the movement of other ions, such as nitrate and potassium ions, into the cell against their concentration gradient. This is achieved through carrier proteins, which bind to the ions and transport them across the cell membrane.

This process is crucial for plants as it allows them to absorb the necessary nutrients from the soil to grow and develop. Without active transport, plants would not be able to obtain these nutrients if their concentration in the soil was lower than in the plant cells. Therefore, active transport plays a vital role in the survival and growth of plants.