Free Mineral requirements questions for IGCSE Biology (0610), part of Plant nutrition. Each question has the answer and the marking points an examiner would look for.
Generate a full Mineral Requirements worksheet →All Plant nutrition questionsWhich row shows why plants need nitrate ions and magnesium ions?
| nitrate ions | magnesium ions | |
|---|---|---|
| A | to make amino acids | to make starch |
| B | to make amino acids | to make chlorophyll |
| C | to make glucose | to make chlorophyll |
| D | to make chlorophyll | to make amino acids |
Answer: B
What do plants use nitrate ions for?
Answer: C
Which term is described by this statement?
“Mineral ions needed to make chlorophyll.”
Answer: B
Hydroponics is growing plants without soil.
Suggest how a grower ensures plants receive enough minerals.
Suggest why the solution must be aerated.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | add nutrient solution the water contains dissolved mineral ions (nutrient solution) B1 | 1 |
| (b) | roots need oxygen for respiration and active transport roots need oxygen for aerobic respiration B1 to release energy for active transport of ions B1 | 2 |
A farmer grows tomatoes in a glasshouse.
Name the limiting factors of photosynthesis that the farmer can control in a glasshouse.
Explain why the farmer burns paraffin in the glasshouse in winter.
Explain why increasing the temperature above about 35 °C reduces the rate of photosynthesis.
The farmer adds a fertiliser containing nitrate ions. Explain why plants need nitrate ions.
Describe the appearance of a plant lacking nitrate ions and of a plant lacking magnesium ions.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | light intensity; carbon dioxide concentration; temperature light intensity B1 carbon dioxide concentration B1 temperature B1 | 3 |
| (b) | releases CO₂ and heat; increases two limiting factors; more photosynthesis, higher yield burning paraffin releases carbon dioxide and thermal energy B1 increasing CO₂ concentration and temperature (both limiting factors) B1 so the rate of photosynthesis and the yield increase B1 | 3 |
| (c) | enzymes denatured enzymes controlling photosynthesis are denatured B1 above their optimum temperature B1 | 2 |
| (d) | to make amino acids / proteins for growth nitrate is needed to make amino acids B1 which are used to make proteins for growth B1 | 2 |
| (e) | nitrate: weak growth, yellow lower leaves; magnesium: yellowing between veins (chlorosis) nitrate deficiency: poor / stunted growth with yellow older leaves B1 magnesium deficiency: yellow leaves (chlorosis) because chlorophyll is not made B1 | 2 |
Plants need mineral ions from the soil.
State why plants need nitrate ions and magnesium ions.
Describe the symptoms of magnesium deficiency.
Describe the symptoms of nitrate deficiency.
| Part | Answer and marking points | Marks |
|---|---|---|
| (a) | amino acids/proteins; chlorophyll nitrate: to make amino acids/proteins B1 magnesium: to make chlorophyll B1 | 2 |
| (b) | yellowing leaves yellow leaves (chlorosis), especially between the veins / older leaves B1 | 1 |
| (c) | stunted growth, yellow lower leaves Any 1 of: stunted growth; yellowing of older leaves B1 | 1 |
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Meet Riyaz →Original Cambridge-style practice questions written for mentorriyaz.in. These are not Cambridge past paper questions, and this site is not affiliated with or endorsed by Cambridge University Press & Assessment. Updated 2026-11-04. Paper generator · mentorriyaz.in