Mineral Nutrition MCQs - Questions
Under the topic mineral nutrition, you will learn in detail about essential mineral elements that plants require for growth and development. In addition to that, you will also learn how plants absorb these essential nutrients, deficiency symptoms and the significance of nitrogen as a micronutrient and biological nitrogen fixation.
Before moving on to the MCQ on nutrition, let us go through some important concepts from this chapter. Notably, plants being autotrophs, derive all these essential elements from the soil.
Minerals are one of the four types of crucial nutrients required for the growth of a plant, and the deficiency of which causes disease and hampers its life cycle. Others are vitamins such as essential fatty acids, vitamins, and essential amino acids. In the body, five prime minerals are potassium, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, and sodium. There are two types of nutrients i.e. micro and macro.
The following MCQs on minerals and trace elements will enable you to gain more clarity on the concepts discussed within this chapter. Aside from that, practising these questions will also help you to revise this section thoroughly before examinations.
Since mineral nutrition NEET is an important part of the NEET syllabus, students appearing for the same can also go through these questions for a quick revision. Therefore, keeping the requirements of students in mind the questions given below cover all the essential topics within the chapter.
Mineral Nutrition Multiple Choice Questions
The questions given below should enable you to gain an idea about question patterns for mineral nutrition NEET.
Who among the following presented the theory of essential mineral nutrients in plants?
Carl Linnaeus
Aristotle
Arnon and Stout
Leonhart Fuchs
The process of growth of plants by suspending their roots
Osmosis
Hydroponics
Diffusion
Aeroponics
Dark green colouration in leaves is caused due to deficiency of which mineral?
Calcium
Phosphorus
Nitrogen
Potassium
Which one of the following is a magnesium deficiency syndrome
Elongated stem
Chlorosis in young leaves
Chlorosis in older leaves
Spindly and woody stem
Enzymes involved in respiration are activated by which minerals?
Sulphur and iron
Potassium and calcium
Nitrogen and phosphorus
Magnesium and manganese
Which is not a micronutrient?
Boron
Zinc
Magnesium
Molybdenum
What is the function of leg-haemoglobin in root nodules of legumes?
They act as a catalyst during transamination
It carries oxygen to root nodules
It acts as a scavenger of oxygen
They provides energy to nitrogen-fixing bacteria
Among the elements given below, which one has not yet been proved as essential for plants?
Zinc
Iron
Potassium
Sodium
Plants absorb nitrogen from the soil which is in the form of
Nitrogen oxide
Nitric acid
Nitrates
Free nitrogen gas
Which of the following components contain phosphorus?
Carbohydrate
Fat
Starch
Nucleotide
Obligate parasites are organisms that
Are saprophytes but can also become parasites.
Are pests but can also become saprophytes.
Consume only dead and organic matter.
Consume living host.
Which one of the following discovered nitrogen-fixing bacteria?
Pasteur
Lister
Winogradsky
Koch
Answer Key: 1. (C), 2. (D), 3. (B), 4. (C), 5. (D), 6. (C), 7. (C), 8. (D), 9. (C), 10. (D), 11. (D), 12.(C)
The answer is C as the theory of mineral nutrients was proposed by Arnon and Stout in 1939.
The answer is D as it contributes to the suspension of the roots.
The right option is B as it is caused by Phosphorus (P) due to being cold for the uptaking of nutrients.
Chlorosis in older leaves is the right answer.
The correct answer is D as Magnesium is responsible for activating enzymes of respiration.
The sixth one clearly indicates that magnesium is not a micronutrient.
C is the right choice as it acts as oxygen.
Sodium is not essential for plants.
Plants absorb nitrogen in the form of nitrates.
A nucleotide contains phosphorus.
Obligate parasites consume the living host
Winogradsky made this discovery in 1886.
Plant physiology is an essential topic for the class 11 examination as well as for those who want to study botany further. Hence, you need to have a proper understanding of all the basic concepts and definitions. Additionally, you can also go through important nutrition questions and answers for exams which will help you to clear their doubts while also improving your chances of scoring better grades.
FAQs on Mineral Nutrition MCQs
1. What are the most important topics within the Mineral Nutrition chapter for the CBSE 2025-26 exams?
For the Class 11 CBSE exams, the highest weightage is typically given to these topics:
- The Nitrogen Cycle: This includes nitrification, denitrification, and the role of symbiotic bacteria like Rhizobium. This is often a source for 5-mark questions.
- Roles and Deficiency Symptoms: Questions on the specific functions and deficiency symptoms of macronutrients (N, P, K, Ca, Mg) and key micronutrients (Fe, Mn, Zn) are very common.
- Criteria for Essentiality: The three core criteria for an element to be considered essential is a frequently asked 2 or 3-mark question.
- Hydroponics: Diagram-based questions or questions on its application are also important.
2. How can I effectively answer questions on mineral deficiency symptoms to score full marks?
To score full marks, go beyond just naming the symptom. Mention these key points:
- Specify the element: Clearly state which mineral is deficient.
- Describe the symptom: Use precise terms like chlorosis (yellowing), necrosis (death of tissue), or stunted growth.
- Location of symptoms: State whether the symptoms first appear on older or younger leaves. This is crucial as it relates to the mobility of the element within the plant and is a key differentiator tested in exams. For example, deficiency of mobile elements like Nitrogen first appears in older leaves.
3. What kind of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) questions can be expected from the topic of mineral toxicity?
HOTS questions on mineral toxicity move beyond simple definitions. Expect scenario-based questions. For example, an exam question might state: "An excess of Manganese (Mn) in the soil leads to brown spots surrounded by chlorotic veins in plants." You could be asked to explain why this is not just a symptom of Mn toxicity but also an induced deficiency of Iron (Fe) and Magnesium (Mg). The key is to explain that excess Mn inhibits the uptake and transport of Fe and Mg, thus creating deficiency symptoms for other elements.
4. How might a question connect the concepts of the Nitrogen Cycle and leghaemoglobin to test deeper understanding?
A typical 3-mark important question could ask: "Explain the role of leghaemoglobin in root nodules of leguminous plants." A complete answer requires connecting it to the nitrogen cycle. You must explain that:
- The enzyme nitrogenase, which is critical for converting atmospheric N₂ to ammonia, is highly sensitive to oxygen.
- Leghaemoglobin acts as an oxygen scavenger, binding to oxygen to create an anaerobic environment within the nodule.
- This protects the nitrogenase enzyme, allowing it to function efficiently and fix nitrogen for the plant.
5. Are MCQs on Mineral Nutrition just about memorisation, or is there a strategy to solve them?
While some memorisation of elements and their functions is needed, top scores in MCQs come from strategy. Many questions are designed to test for common misconceptions. For instance, you might be asked to identify a micronutrient from a list of macronutrients. The key is to focus on the process of elimination. Also, pay close attention to questions that ask for the 'primary' function or 'most common' symptom, as elements can have multiple roles.
6. Why is it important to distinguish between macronutrients and micronutrients for exams, beyond just their definitions?
Exam questions test the application of this concept, not just the definition. The key difference lies in the concept of critical concentration and toxicity. While macronutrients are needed in large amounts, micronutrients are required in very small quantities. A question might test your understanding that a slight excess of a micronutrient can quickly become toxic to the plant, a level that would not be toxic for a macronutrient. This distinction is a frequent topic for conceptual questions.
7. How are questions on Mineral Nutrition in NEET different from those in CBSE Class 11 exams?
While both exams are based on the NCERT syllabus, the focus differs.
- CBSE Class 11 exams typically feature direct questions, asking you to explain concepts like the nitrogen cycle or list deficiency symptoms.
- NEET questions are more application-based and require faster recall. They often involve more complex scenarios, ask about specific enzyme activators (e.g., "Which element activates RuBisCO?"), or test exceptions and finer details related to mineral interactions and toxicity levels.
