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Syllabus
Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition — Syllabus
NIOS · Class 12 · Biology
What Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition covers in NIOS Class 12 Biology: 4 topics, for the 2026-27 session.
45 questions30 flashcards5 concepts
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4 Topics · NIOS Class 12 Biology · 2026-27
Topics in Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition
1
Plant Nutrition – Basic Concepts
- Nutrition in plants is defined as the process of synthesis of food, its breakdown, and utilisation for various body functions.
- Chemical substances present in food that are used by organisms are called nutrients. Examples: CO₂, water, minerals, carbohydrates, proteins, fats.
- Green plants are called autotrophs because they can make their own organic food from simple inorganic substances using sunlight (photosynthesis).
2
Methods to Determine Mineral Requirements – Hydroponics and Aeroponics
- Since minerals are absorbed in solution form, plants can be grown in nutrient solutions without soil — this technique is called Hydroponics (water culture).
- Hydroponics was first demonstrated by German Botanist Julius Von Sachs in 1860.
- In water culture experiments, seedlings grow in water with known mineral salts. Air is bubbled to provide sufficient oxygen to roots.
3
Essential Mineral Elements – Criteria, Types, and Sources
- Out of about 112 known elements, only 17 are considered essential for normal plant growth.
- The 17 essential elements are: C, H, O, N, P, K, S, Mg, Ca, Fe, B, Mn, Cu, Zn, Mo, Cl, and Co.
- Criteria for an element to be called 'essential': (i) Absolutely necessary for normal growth and reproduction, (ii) Cannot be replaced by any other element (specificity), (iii) Directly or indirectly
4
Role (Functions) of Macro and Micro Nutrients
- Nitrogen (N): Absorbed as NO₂⁻, NO₃⁻, or NH₄⁺. Required in all tissues, especially meristematic tissues. Essential for synthesis of amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, hormones, coenzymes,
- Phosphorus (P): Absorbed as H₂PO₄⁻ or HPO₄²⁻. Found in young tissues. Required for synthesis of nucleic acids, phospholipids, ATP, NAD, and NADP. Constituent of cell membrane.
- Potassium (K): Absorbed as K⁺. Found in meristematic tissues, buds, leaves, root tips. Activates enzymes, associated with K⁺/Na⁺ pump (active transport), controls stomatal opening/closing, helps in ce
Key Concepts
Plant nutrition is the processMineral nutrition refers to the studySeventeen elements are considered essentialEssential elements are classified into twoHydroponics is a technique of growing
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What are the important topics in Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition for NIOS Class 12 Biology?
Key topics in Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition include Plant Nutrition – Basic Concepts, Methods to Determine Mineral Requirements – Hydroponics and Aeroponics, Essential Mineral Elements – Criteria, Types, and Sources, Role (Functions) of Macro and Micro Nutrients. Study these first, then practise questions on each for the NIOS Class 12 board exam.
How should I revise Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition for the NIOS Class 12 board exam?
Learn the core ideas first, then work through the 45 practice questions on Nutrition In Plants – Mineral Nutrition. Revise definitions regularly and use flashcards for quick recall before the exam.
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Content is aligned to the official syllabus. Refer to the board website for the latest curriculum.
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