What do plants use the nitrogen in fertilizers for?
A. To provide energy for photosynthesis
B. To build cellulose in cell walls
C. To build amino acids and proteins
D. To regulate water uptake
A) To provide energy for photosynthesis: While nitrogen is essential for various metabolic processes in plants, it is not directly involved in providing energy for photosynthesis. Instead, plants use sunlight to convert carbon dioxide and water into glucose during photosynthesis.
B) To build cellulose in cell walls: Nitrogen is not directly involved in the synthesis of cellulose, which is primarily composed of glucose units. Cellulose synthesis mainly relies on carbon and hydrogen, which are obtained from carbon dioxide and water during photosynthesis.
C) To build amino acids and proteins: Plants use nitrogen from fertilizers to synthesize amino acids and proteins. Nitrogen is a crucial component of amino acids, the building blocks of proteins, which are essential for plant growth, development, and various physiological processes.
D) To regulate water uptake (Correct Answer): Nitrogen plays a role in regulating various physiological processes in plants, including water uptake. It affects the osmotic potential of plant cells and helps regulate the movement of water and nutrients within the plant.
Therefore, the Correct Answer is D.