Ions are absorbed from the soil by

Options

A. Passive transport
B. Active transport
C. Both (1) & (2)
D. Imbibition

Answer

### Step-by-Step Text Solution:

1. **Understanding Ion Absorption**:
- Plants absorb ions and minerals from the soil, which are essential for their growth and development.

2. **Types of Transport Mechanisms**:
- There are two main types of transport mechanisms in plants: **active transport** and **passive transport**.
- **Active transport** requires energy (ATP) to move substances against their concentration gradient.
- **Passive transport** does not require energy; it relies on diffusion and osmosis to move substances along their concentration gradient.

3. **Role of Roots in Absorption**:
- The roots of the plant are the primary organs responsible for the absorption of water, ions, and minerals from the soil.

4. **Mechanism of Ion Absorption**:
- Ions cannot be absorbed by passive transport methods like osmosis or simple diffusion because their concentration in the soil is often lower than in the root cells.
- Therefore, ions are absorbed through **active transport** using carrier molecules located on the surface of root hair cells.

5. **Energy Requirement**:
- Since active transport involves moving ions against their concentration gradient, it requires energy in the form of ATP.

6. **Conclusion**:
- The correct answer to the question "Ions are absorbed from the soil by" is **active transport**.

### Final Answer:
Ions are absorbed from the soil by **active transport**.

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