Gas exchange and nutrition in plants

Nitrogen ( nitrates ) : for synthesis of proteins eg enzymes and channel proteins in cell
membranes for growth , chlorophyll and nucleic acids -> de ciency : yellow leaves

Phosphorus ( phosphates ) : for synthesis of ATP and nucleic acid -> purple leaves and poorly
developed root system

Potassium : promotes photosynthesis -> de ciency : blackened leaf edges

Magnesium : for synthesis of chlorophyll -> de ciency : yellow leaves

Gas intake : gases from atmosphere di use in to the air space through the stomata and dissolve
into the water lm on surface of cells near air space then di use into the neighbouring cells

Gas release : gases produced by the cells di use into neighbouring cells and dissolve in the water
lm on the surface of cells near air space then di use into air space and out of the stomata

Adaptive features for gas exchange : thin leaves : allow gases to enter and leave the cells easily
by shortening di usion distance

Lots of air space : allows free di usion of gases in and out of cells

Guard cells : regulate the size of stomata to regulate rate of gas exchange

Loosely packed spongy mesophyll cells : larger surface area for gas exchange

Numerous stomata : allow gases to di use in and out freely

Lenticels on bark also serve same purpose as stomata but cannot regulate size of opening

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