Mineral nutrients are elements acquired by plants from the soil in inorganic ion form that are essential for plant growth and life cycle completion. Plants absorb mineral nutrients through their extensive root systems, acting as "miners of Earth's crust", and translocate the minerals throughout the plant where they serve numerous biological functions. Only certain elements have been determined to be essential nutrients for plants, with deficiencies preventing plant growth or development, and proper levels of essential nutrients along with sunlight allow plants to synthesize all necessary compounds for normal growth.