A. It absorbs minerals from the soil by active transport. B. It translocates amino acids from source to sink. C. It carries glucose to the leaves. D. It contributes to the plant support with lignified walls.
2. What allows most plants to continue producing more roots, leaves or stems throughout their life? A. Auxin B. Meristems C. Phloem D. Cellulose
3. Excessive irrigation can cause increased salinity in the soil. What effect does this have on water transport in the plant roots? A. Decreases movement of water from soil into the root B. Absorption of water with a higher solute concentration C. Increases movement of water from soil into the root D. Absorption of water with a lower solute concentration
4. Which process is matched with a valid example?
5. Agar is a growth medium without nutrients; starch agar is agar with starch added to it. Seed coats were removed from seeds and the seeds were used to set up the following conditions. Which plant embryo was unable to grow?
6. How do auxins cause plant shoots to grow towards light?
A. Increase cell division on the side of the stem near the light source B. Increase cell division on the side of the stem away from the light source C. Increase cell elongation on the side of the stem near the light source D. Increase cell elongation on the side of the stem away from the light source
7. Under which conditions would the rate of transpiration be greatest?
A. Humid and cool with wind B. Dry and hot with wind C. Dry and hot with no wind D. Humid and cool with no wind
8. Which is the most efficient way for some desert plants to conserve water? A. By having no leaves, so water evaporates from the green stem with less surface B. By loading organic compounds in the phloem of the roots C. By accumulating salt within their tissues, so water is retained by osmosis D. By growing long hair on their surface, so air moisture is absorbed at night
9. The diagram below shows part of the vascular system of a dicotyledonous
plant. Which process is indicated by the arrows? A. Passive translocation of sucrose from the sink to the source in the phloem B. Active translocation of sucrose from the source to the sink in the phloem C. Passive translocation of sucrose from the sink to the source in the xylem D. Active translocation of sucrose from the source to the sink in the xylem
10. What steps occur in germination after water uptake?
A. Gibberellin is produced, followed by amylase activation B. Gibberellin stimulates photosynthesis to begin in the cotyledons C. Amylase breaks down starch to glucose which activates the embryo D. Amylase synthesis followed by activation of gibberellin
11. Which abiotic factors affect transpiration in plants?
A. temperature, humidity and wind B. pH, temperature and salinity C. light, pH and humidity D. humidity, temperature and salinity 12. The diagram below shows a cross section of a stem. What is the structure labelled Y and one of its functions?
13. When a plant stem bends towards sunlight, what change does auxin promote in the cells on the side of the stem away from the light? A. Translocation B. Cell differentiation C. Cell elongation D. Transcription
14. How do most angiospermophyta improve sexual reproductive success?
A. By flowering during long days B. By flowering during short days C. By using mutualistic pollinators D. By using micropropagation 15. Cobalt chloride paper is blue when dry but turns pink with water. Blue cobalt chloride paper was fastened to the upper and lower surfaces of a plant leaf. After 20 minutes, many small pink dots were observed on the paper on the lower surface, and a few pink dots were seen on the upper surface. What conclusions can be drawn? I. There are more stomata on the lower surface than on the upper surface. II. Stomata on the upper surface are blocked by the waxy cuticle. III. More transpiration occurs through the lower surface than through the upper surface. A. I and II only B. I and III only C. II and III only D. I, II and III
16. The following is a diagram of a flower.
What structures are indicated by the letters X, Y and Z?
17. What is/are the effect(s) of auxin in plants? I. Increasing the rate of cell elongation in stems II. Changing the pattern of gene expression in shoot cells III. Detecting the direction of light A. I only B. I and II only C. II and III only D. I, II and III
18. Which letter identifies phloem?
19. How do mineral ions in the soil move into the root? A. Osmosis B. Mass flow of water C. Translocation D. Through phloem
20. What is transported in xylem tissue?
A. Sucrose from leaves to fruits B. Starch from leaves to storage organs C. Water from roots to leaves D. Salts from soil to roots Mark scheme
Paper 1
1. D
2. B
3. A
4. B
5. D
6. D
7. B
8. A
9. B
10. A
11. A
12. B
13. C
14. C
15. B
16. C
17. B
18. B
19. B
20. C Paper 2 Questions
1. a. Draw a labelled diagram of a eukaryotic plant cell as seen in an electron
micrograph. [4]
b. Outline how the energy flow through food chains limits their length. [3]
c. In hot, dry conditions plants lose water rapidly due to transpiration. Explain how the structures and processes of the plant allow this water to be replaced. [8]
2. a. Plants have widespread influences, from food chains to climate change.
Draw a labelled diagram of the internal structure of a seed. [3] b. Plants have widespread influences, from food chains to climate change. Explain the process of water uptake and transport by plants. [8]
3. Photosynthesis and transpiration occur in leaves. Explain how temperature
affects these processes.
4. a. Describe how plants carry out gas exchange in the leaves. [5] b. Outline the causes and consequences of the enhanced greenhouse effect. [5]
c. Explain the role of limiting factors in photosynthesis. [8]
5. Auxin can be used to promote the development of roots from stem and leafy cuttings in some plants. In a study into the distribution of auxin in the development of these roots, scientists measured the amount of auxin in different leaves of a shoot tip of Petunia hybrida. The figure indicates the numbering of leaves on the shoot, from L1 as the youngest and smallest to L6 as the largest and oldest leaf. The developmental stage of L5 and L6 was very similar, so L5 was not analysed. The stem base is the lowest part of the cutting where roots may form.
The graph shows the auxin concentration in the different leaves.
N-1-naphthylphthalamic acid (NPA) is an inhibitor used to block auxin transport. NPA was sprayed onto the leaves of a set of cuttings for 14 days. Development of the roots in control (non-treated) and NPA-treated cuttings was measured 14 days after taking the cuttings. The table shows the influence of NPA on rooting.
The scientists also measured the changes in auxin concentration in L6 and the stem base during the early period of root formation. They recorded the concentration in the control and NPA-treated cuttings for 24 hours after taking the cuttings. The scientists wanted to know whether the accumulation of auxin over time in the stem base of the controls affected expression of the GH3 gene, known to have a role in growth regulation in different plants. The technique that was used to quantify the level of transcription of the GH3 gene was Northern blotting. In this procedure the darkness and thickness of the band is an indicator of the level of transcription of a particular gene. The image shows the result of the Northern blot from 2 hours to 24 hours after cutting. a. Calculate the difference in the concentration of auxin found in L1 and L6. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . pmol g–1 [1]
b. Identify the relationship between the concentration of auxin and the age of the different leaves. [2]
c. Analyse the effect of NPA on the formation of roots. [2]
d.i. Compare and contrast the changes in auxin concentration in the stem base over time for the control and NPA-treated cuttings. [2]
d.ii. Deduce the effect of NPA on auxin transport between L6 and the stem base. [2]
e. Based on all the data presented and your knowledge of auxin, discuss the pattern of auxin production and distribution in the leaves and the possible relationship to root formation in leafy cuttings of Petunia hybrida. [3] f.i. State the name of the molecule which is produced by transcription. [1]
f.ii. Compare the pattern of GH3 transcription with the pattern of auxin concentration in the stem base control cuttings. You may use the table provided to help you to record the patterns before you compare them. (Please note: a simple comparison in the table will not gain marks) [2]
f.iii. The scientists concluded that auxin activates the transcription of the GH3 gene. Using the information on the auxin concentration in the stem base in the graph and the Northern blot, evaluate whether this conclusion is supported. [2] Mark scheme
Paper 2
1. a. Cell wall shown with two continuous lines to indicate the thickness Plasma membrane/cell membrane shown as a single continuous line Accept inner line of wall as membrane if clearly labelled. Nuclear membrane/nucleus shown with double membrane and nuclear pores Vacuole «membrane»/tonoplast shown as a single continuous line Chloroplast/plastid shown with a double line to indicate the envelope and thylakoids/grana Mitochondrion shown with double membrane/cristae
b. Only a small proportion/20 %/10 % «of energy» can pass from one trophic level to the next Accept named trophic levels or named stages in a food chain in place of “trophic levels”. OR large proportion/80 %/90 % lost between one trophic level and the next Accept if clearly shown in a diagram such as a pyramid of energy. Energy released by respiration AND lost as heat Not just respiration or heat. Energy losses due to uneaten parts/undigested parts/feces/egestion Not enough energy for 4th/5th/later stages of a food chain OR more energy available if feeding at an earlier stage in a food chain
c. Evaporation of water «in leaf/mesophyll» creates tension/low
pressure/negative pressure «potential»/pulling force/transpiration pull Water drawn through cell walls/out of xylem «in leaf» by capillary action/adhesion «to cellulose» Low pressure/tension/suction/pulling force in xylem Hydrogen bonds make water cohesive/allow water to be pulled up under tension/allow the transpiration pull «to move water» Xylem resists tension/low pressure/collapse with thickened/lignified walls Water travels from the roots to the leaves in xylem Water absorbed in roots by osmosis Active transport of ions/solutes into roots «enabling osmosis» Deep/wide ranging/extensive root systems/taproots/many root hairs Thick/waxy cuticle reduces transpiration/water loss/evaporation Small/no leaves/reduced surface area of leaves/thorns instead of leaves Few stomata/stomata in pits/rolled leaves Hairs on leaf surface «to reduce air flow near the leaf/reflect sunlight» Stomata open at night/CAM physiology to reduce water loss
2. a. radicle/embryo root shown tapering to a root tip
b. plumule/embryo shoot shown with embryonic leaves «in a dicot seed» drawn and labelled OR plumule/embryo shoot shown tapering to a shoot tip «in a monocot seed» c. seed coat/testa shown with a double line d. cotyledon/endosperm shown as a large structure «for food storage» e. embryo shown with both embryo root and shoot visible Accept any dicot or monocot seed eg:
Award [1] for any of the structure clearly drawn and labelled Award mpe only if mpa and mpb have not been awarded and the labelling line points clearly to the plumule or radicle or both. [Max 3 Marks] b. a. roots/root hairs absorb water b. water is absorbed by osmosis c. solute concentration inside the root is higher/water potential is lower «than in the soil» d. due to active transport of ions/minerals into the root e. transport of water in xylem vessels f. flow/stream of water from roots to leaves g. water movement in xylem due to pulling force/transpiration pull/suction/negative pressure potential h. cohesion/hydrogen bonds between water molecules «allows water to be pulled up in xylem» i. transpiration in leaves generates tension/pulling forces/suction j. evaporation of water from «leaf» cell walls k. adhesion of water to «leaf» cell walls/cellulose creates tension «forces» Not adhesion to xylem walls in mpk and the adhesion must be linked to creating tension l. lignin in xylem walls/thickened xylem walls prevent collapse/resist tension m. «movement of water in xylem is a» passive process [Max 8 Marks]
3. photosynthesis rate increases as temperature rises (up to an optimum
temperature); (due to) increase in the rate of enzyme catalysed reactions/light independent reactions/the Calvin cycle; (steep) drop in rate of photosynthesis above the optimum; at high temperatures enzymes/Rubisco/RuBP carboxylase denature(s); graph with correctly labelled axes showing relationship between temperature and rate of photosynthesis; transpiration rate increases as temperature rises; (energy/heat leads to more) to more evaporation of water (in the leaf); faster diffusion of water vapour at higher temperatures; relative humidity falls as temperature rises / warmer air can hold more water vapour; stomata may close at very high temperatures reducing the transpiration rate; some plants open their stomata at very high temperatures to cool by transpiration;
4. a. gases/O2 and CO2 enter/exit the leaf through the stomata;
by diffusion / down the concentration gradient; photosynthesis maintains concentration gradients/high O2 and low CO2 in the leaf; guard cells open the stomata during the day / close the stomata at night; gases/O2/CO2 move through air spaces in the spongy (mesophyll); CO2 dissolves in moisture in (mesophyll) cell walls;
b. burning of (fossil) fuels/coal/oil/gas releases carbon dioxide;
deforestation/loss of ecosystems reduces carbon dioxide uptake; methane emitted from cattle/livestock/melting permafrost/waste dumps; heating of the atmosphere/global warming/climate change; melting of ice caps/glaciers/permafrost / sea level rise / floods / droughts / changes in ocean currents / more powerful hurricanes / extreme weather events / other abiotic consequence; changes in species distributions/migration patterns / increased decomposition rates / increases in pest/pathogen species / loss of ice habitats / other biotic consequence;
c. factor nearest its minimum/furthest from its optimum is limiting;
increasing a limiting factor with other factors constant increases the rate; increasing a non-limiting factor with other factors constant has no effect on rate; light intensity is limiting in dim/low intensity light / at night; photosynthesis (directly) proportional to intensity up to plateau / graph to show this; light intensity affects the light-dependent reactions/production of ATP/NADPH; temperature limiting at low and high temperatures; optimum temperature with lower rates above and below plateau / graph to show this; low temperatures limit the rate of light-independent reactions/Calvin cycle; RuBP carboxylase/rubisco does not fix carbon dioxide at high temperatures; carbon dioxide concentration is limiting in bright light and warm temperatures; photosynthesis is (directly) proportional to CO2 concentration up to plateau / graph to show this; low CO2 concentration limits carbon fixation/reaction between CO2 and RuBP;
5. a. 45 «pmol g–1» Allow answers in the range of 44 «pmol g–1» to 46 «pmol g–1».
b. less auxin as the leaves become older/larger Vice versa
OR negative correlation from L1 to L4 L4 and L6 leaves have least auxin concentration OR L4 and L6/older leaves have about the same concentration of auxin/do not have significantly different concentrations
c. a. NPA decreased the «mean» number of roots per rooted cutting «by about 5» OWTTE b. NPA decreased the «mean» length per root «by more than half» c. NPA decreased the «mean» total root length per planted cutting «to about 2 % of control» OWTTE d. NPA inhibited the formation of roots OR decreased all three measures Accept other correct statements of overall changes in values. The word “mean” is not required. d.i.a. both decrease up to 6 hours/initially b. NPA-treated decrease more/at a faster rate than control «up to 6 hours» c. after 6 hours, control increases while NPA treated continues to fall
d.ii.a. NPA «appears to have» no effect on concentrations/transport of auxin in
L6 as control and NPA-treated remain at same «low» level OWTTE A valid reason must be given for the mark.
b. NPA «probably» inhibits the auxin efflux pumps/transport «in the leaves» as the levels drop in NPA-treated in stem base «but not in control» OWTTE A valid reason must be given for the mark. c. the transport of auxin to the stem base must occur from younger leaves OR L6 is not the source of auxin in the stem base d. NPA inhibits the auxin pumps/transport «in the leaves» as the levels drop in NPA-treated in stem base
e. a. L1 has the highest concentration of auxin so appears to be/is the main
source/the producer of auxin
b. as leaves age, they «appear to» decrease the production of auxin
Vice versa c. the stem base is an auxin sink as seen by the accumulation in the control stem base «where roots form» OWTTE d. high concentration of auxin «in the stem base» promotes root formation Vice versa f.i. mRNA/RNA
f.ii. a. at 2 and 24 hours, auxin levels are similar and at 2 and 24
hours GH3 levels are similar b. the pattern for the formation of auxin is similar to the pattern of transcription of the GH3 gene OR both decrease and then increase c. «however» there is a lag between the peaks of the GH3 transcription and the peaks of auxin A comparison must be made to award marks. Do not award marks for simple completion of the table.
f.iii. a. the data «partially» supports the conclusion
OR the relationship is not clear
b. the auxin concentration «seems to» rise before the transcription level increases OR there is a lag between auxin concentration changing and transcription level changing OR the auxin concentration falls before the transcription level falls To award mp b, awareness of the lag should be demonstrated
c. more data is needed «before two hours/after 24 hours»
