[Campbell Biology P.870] A mineral deficiency is likely to affect older leaves more than you... | Practice Question

A mineral deficiency is likely to affect older leaves more than younger leaves if

  • A: the mineral is a micronutrient.
  • B: the mineral is very mobile within the plant.
  • C: the mineral is required for chlorophyll synthesis.
  • D: the mineral is a macronutrient.

Explanation

If a mineral is mobile within the plant, the plant can translocate it from older, mature tissues like older leaves to actively growing younger tissues when the nutrient supply is limited. This leads to deficiency symptoms appearing first in older leaves as they are depleted.