Plants absorb minerals from the soil :

Options

A. Independently of water absorbtion
B. By a process independent of water absorbtion
C. Only when soil solution is hypertonic to cell sap
D. Only when soil solution is hypotonic to cell sap

Answer

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Mineral Absorption in Plants:**
- Plants require minerals and water from the soil for their growth and development. These nutrients are essential for various physiological processes within the plant.

2. **Role of Roots:**
- The roots of the plant are primarily responsible for the absorption of these nutrients. They contain root hairs, which increase the surface area for absorption, allowing the plant to take in more water and minerals efficiently.

3. **Absorption Processes:**
- Water is absorbed through a process called **osmosis**, which is the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane from an area of lower solute concentration to an area of higher solute concentration.
- Minerals, on the other hand, are absorbed in the form of ions through a process known as **active transport**. This process requires energy because it involves moving ions against their concentration gradient.

4. **Independence of Processes:**
- While both water and minerals are absorbed through the roots, the processes are independent of each other. This means that the absorption of water does not directly influence the absorption of minerals and vice versa.

5. **Evaluating the Options:**
- The question provides several options regarding the absorption of minerals. The correct option states that minerals are absorbed by a process that is independent of water absorption. This aligns with the understanding that the two processes, while occurring in the same structure (roots), operate independently.

6. **Conclusion:**
- The correct answer to the question is that plants absorb minerals from the soil by a process that is independent of water absorption.

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