Which of the following is not a correct pairing of a macronutrient and its major function in growth and developments of plants
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Remember the macronutrients using the acronym: C. HOPKNS CaMgS (Carbon, Hydrogen, Oxygen, Phosphorus, Potassium, Nitrogen, Sulfur, Calcium, Magnesium). All other essential elements, including Iron, are micronutrients.
Potassium-enzyme activation, water balance, ion balance.
Calcium-activity of membranes and cytoskeleton, second messenger.
Sulfur-in proteins and coenzymes.
Iron-in active sites of many redox enzymes and electron carriers.
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The Correct Option isD
Solution and Explanation
Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Essential plant nutrients are categorized based on their concentration requirements: macronutrients are required in large quantities (greater than 10 mmole/kg of dry matter), while micronutrients are required in trace amounts (less than 10 mmole/kg of dry matter). Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Let us evaluate each of the given options:
Option (A): Potassium (\(K\)) is a major macronutrient. It plays a critical role in cellular osmotic regulation, opening and closing of stomata (water balance), maintaining anion-cation balance, and activating more than 60 different enzymes. This pairing is correct.
Option (B): Calcium (\(Ca\)) is a macronutrient. It stabilizes cell walls and membrane structures, regulates cytoskeletal functions, and acts as a vital intracellular second messenger in various signal transduction pathways. This pairing is correct.
Option (C): Sulfur (\(S\)) is a macronutrient. It is a constituent of sulfur-containing amino acids (cysteine and methionine) that build proteins, and is a key component of coenzymes like Coenzyme A and biotin. This pairing is correct.
Option (D): Iron (\(Fe\)) is critical for the active sites of cytochrome enzymes, catalase, peroxidase, and ferredoxin (electron carriers). However, Iron is classified as amicronutrient (or trace element) in plant nutrition, not a macronutrient.
Because the question asks for a pairing that is not correct regarding amacronutrient, Option (D) is the incorrect pairing due to its nutrient classification. Step 2: Final Answer:
The correct option is (D).
