. How do plants take up nutrients from the soil?

Plants absorb nutrients from soil primarily through their root system via two mechanisms. Active absorption uses energy to take up nutrients against concentration gradients through specialized root hair cells. Passive absorption occurs when nutrients move from higher to lower concentration areas without energy expenditure. Nutrients must be dissolved in soil water to be absorbed. The root hairs greatly increase the surface area for absorption, and beneficial soil microorganisms often help break down organic matter into forms plants can use.