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Related Concept Videos

Minerals01:26

Minerals

Minerals are essential nutrients that the human body needs in small amounts to work properly. They play a vital role in many bodily functions, such as building strong bones and transmitting nerve impulses. Some minerals are needed for hormone production or to maintain a normal heartbeat. Major minerals include calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur, sodium, chlorine, and magnesium, while trace minerals include iron, manganese, copper, iodine, zinc, cobalt, fluoride, and selenium.
Compounds Essential to Human Function01:25

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The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements01:27

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Elements are the smallest units of matter that cannot be broken down further by chemical processes. There are 118 known elements, but not all of these are naturally occurring, and only a few of them are essential for life. Living matter is composed primarily of carbon, nitrogen, hydrogen, and oxygen, with smaller amounts of other elements like calcium, phosphorus, potassium, and sulfur. Other elements are also necessary for life but only in trace amounts.
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The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements00:57

The Periodic Table and Organismal Elements

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In humans, electrolytes play a vital role in various physiological processes. Balancing electrolyte levels is essential for normal body functions; their imbalance can be life-threatening. The major electrolytes include sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphate, and bicarbonate. They are primarily involved in physiological processes, such as nerve signal transmission, membrane trafficking, muscle contraction, buffering body fluids, and balancing water levels in the body.
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Like all living organisms, plants require organic and inorganic nutrients to survive, reproduce, grow and maintain homeostasis. To identify nutrients that are essential for plant functioning, researchers have leveraged a technique called hydroponics. In hydroponic culture systems, plants are grown—without soil—in water-based solutions containing nutrients. At least 17 nutrients have been identified as essential elements required by plants. Plants acquire these elements from the atmosphere, the...

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Physiological functions of beneficial elements.

Elizabeth A H Pilon-Smits1, Colin F Quinn, Wiebke Tapken

  • 1Biology Department, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523, USA. epsmits@lamar.colostate.edu

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Beneficial elements like aluminum (Al) and cobalt (Co) can boost plant growth and stress resistance, even at low doses. Understanding these effects is key to improving crop yields and nutritional value.

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Area of Science:

  • Plant Science
  • Agricultural Science
  • Environmental Science

Background:

  • Certain elements like aluminum (Al), cobalt (Co), sodium (Na), selenium (Se), and silicon (Si) can be beneficial for plant growth.
  • These elements are not universally required but can enhance plant development and stress tolerance.
  • Low-dose beneficial effects are often overlooked compared to well-documented toxic effects at higher concentrations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To highlight the importance of understanding beneficial elements for plants.
  • To emphasize the need for more research into the positive impacts of low-dose beneficial elements.
  • To underscore the potential of these elements in improving crop productivity and nutritional quality.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review on the roles of Al, Co, Na, Se, and Si in plant physiology.
  • Analysis of existing research on plant responses to beneficial elements under various stress conditions.
  • Synthesis of findings regarding the impact of low-dose elemental application on plant health.

Main Results:

  • Beneficial elements enhance plant resistance to biotic stresses (pathogens, herbivory).
  • These elements also improve tolerance to abiotic stresses (drought, salinity, nutrient imbalance).
  • Low concentrations of Al, Co, Na, and Se show positive effects, contrasting with high-dose toxicity.

Conclusions:

  • Further research into beneficial elements is crucial for agricultural advancement.
  • Optimizing the use of beneficial elements can lead to increased crop yields.
  • Enhanced understanding can improve plant nutritional value, addressing global food security challenges.