Which mineral element is termed the physiological 'chemical policeman' of plants?
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Answer: C. Potassium
Explanation
Potassium regulates cellular osmotic pressure and controls numerous vital enzymatic reactions inside plants. These critical physiological functions earn potassium its designation as the plant organism's chemical policeman. The element maintains internal ionic balance and safeguards overall metabolic stability under various environmental stresses. Potassium is a primary macronutrient absorbed by plant roots in large quantities throughout their lifecycle. Unlike nitrogen and phosphorus, potassium does not form organic structural compounds within plant tissues. It remains dissolved in cell fluids as a free ion to facilitate rapid biochemical and physical processes.
Adequate potassium nutrition enhances crop resistance against lodging, drought, and various plant diseases. Farmers apply potassium fertilizers to improve fruit quality, root development, and overall crop yield potential. Deficiency symptoms typically manifest as marginal chlorosis and necrosis on older lower leaves first. Option A refers to magnesium, which serves a primary role as the central metallic atom in chlorophyll molecules. Option B refers to phosphorus, which functions mainly as a structural component in nucleic acids and energy transfer. Option D is incorrect because only potassium holds the specific physiological title of the chemical policeman.
- Subject
- Agriculture
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- Agriculture
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- Difficulty
- medium
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