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Plant benefits of nitrogen-fixing nodules
The gorse plant has nodules on its roots. The nodules are part of the living root tissue. Bacteria which convert nitrogen gas into soluble nitrate ions live in the nodule tissue. Figure 9 shows the nodules on the roots.
Explain how the nodules benefit the gorse plant.
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Marking points
- 1 The gorse plant obtains nitrate ions.
- 2 Nitrate ions are needed for amino acids/proteins; allow needed to make chlorophyll or DNA.
Full-mark answer
The plant obtains nitrate ions from the bacteria. Nitrate ions are needed to make amino acids and proteins for growth.