Minerals are present in the soil in sufficient amounts. Do plants need to adjust the types of solutes that reach the xylem? Which molecules help to adjust this? How do plants regulate the type and quantity of solutes that reach xylem?
Ans.
There are several elements and nutrients placed and located in the soil, but the plant needs to regulate and adjust the kind of minerals that travel to the xylem.
Some of these ions present in the soil travel from the soil to the root hair, in a passive way. The active transport of ions in the soil is regulated by the epidermal cell special membrane proteins. Transportation of certain proteins can also be facilitated by the endodermal cells, which regulate and allows selective entry of ions. The proteins located in these cells screen and take care of which ions to allow entry. The suberin layer of the endodermis allows transport in only one direction.