The movement of mineral ions into plant root cells as a result of diffusion is called

Options

A. Osmosis
B. Active absorption
C. Passive absorption
D. Endocytosis

Answer

To solve the question about the movement of mineral ions into plant root cells as a result of diffusion, we can break it down step by step:

### Step 1: Understand the Processes of Ion Movement
- There are two main processes by which mineral ions are absorbed by plant root cells: active transport and passive transport.

### Step 2: Define Active Transport
- Active transport requires energy (ATP) to move ions against their concentration gradient. This process involves carrier proteins.

### Step 3: Define Passive Transport
- Passive transport, on the other hand, does not require energy. Instead, it relies on diffusion, where ions move from an area of higher concentration to an area of lower concentration, following their concentration gradient.

### Step 4: Identify the Correct Term
- The question specifically asks about the movement of mineral ions into root cells as a result of diffusion. Since diffusion occurs naturally and does not require energy, this process falls under passive transport.

### Step 5: Eliminate Incorrect Options
- **Osmosis**: This refers specifically to the movement of water across a semi-permeable membrane, not mineral ions.
- **Endocytosis**: This is a process where the cell membrane engulfs substances to form vesicles, which is not the same as diffusion.

### Conclusion
- Therefore, the correct answer to the question is **passive transport**, as it describes the movement of mineral ions into plant root cells as a result of diffusion.