GCSE Biology Plant tissues & transport questions by topic

Name the leaf tissue described in each case.

1. (a)Tall cells packed with chloroplasts near the top of the leaf.[1]
2. (b)Loose cells with air spaces for gas diffusion.[1]
3. (c)Hollow tubes carrying water upwards.[1]
4. (d)Cells flanking each stoma.[1]

Complete the sentences about transport in plants.

1. (a)Water evaporates from the leaves through pores called __________.[1]
2. (b)The upward flow of water in the xylem is called the __________ __________.[1]
3. (c)Sugars travel in the __________ by a process called __________.[2]

State which tissue carries each substance.

1. (a)Water and mineral ions.[1]
2. (b)Dissolved sugars.[1]
3. (c)State the direction each substance moves.[1]

A student counts stomata in four fields of view: 9, 11, 10 and 14.

1. (a)Calculate the mean number of stomata per field.[2]
2. (b)Explain why several fields were counted rather than one.[1]
3. (c)Suggest which surface of the leaf was sampled and why.[1]

Match each leaf tissue or structure to its job.

1. (a)Tissue with the most chloroplasts for photosynthesis.[1]
2. (b)Tissue with air spaces for gas exchange.[1]
3. (c)Pores that let gases in and out of the leaf.[1]
4. (d)Waxy layer that cuts water loss.[1]

This question is about the two transport tissues in a plant stem.

1. (a)Name the tissue that carries water and dissolved mineral ions.[1]
2. (b)State the direction this tissue carries its cargo.[1]
3. (c)Name the substance the other transport tissue carries.[1]
4. (d)State the directions this second tissue can carry its cargo.[1]

Explain how root hair cells are adapted to absorb water and mineral ions.

1. (a)Explain two adaptations for absorption.[4]
2. (b)Name the process that brings mineral ions in and explain why it is needed.[2]

Compare xylem and phloem.

1. (a)State two structural differences.[2]
2. (b)State two functional differences.[2]
3. (c)Explain one reason water transport must be one-directional.[2]

A shoot takes up water at these rates in an investigation: still air — 6 cm³ per hour; fan on — 12 cm³ per hour.

1. (a)Calculate how many times faster the uptake was with the fan.[1]
2. (b)Explain why moving air increases the uptake.[2]
3. (c)State what the apparatus assumes about water uptake and transpiration.[2]

This question is about guard cells and stomata.

1. (a)Describe how guard cells open and close a stoma.[2]
2. (b)Explain why stomata are usually on the lower surface of the leaf.[2]
3. (c)Explain the trade-off a plant faces when its stomata are open.[2]

A leafy shoot was placed in three different conditions; the water taken up in each is shown over the same 30 minutes.

1. (a)Calculate the water uptake rate in each condition, in cm³ per minute.[2]
2. (b)Put the three conditions in order of transpiration rate, lowest first.[1]
3. (c)Explain why the fan increased the rate.[2]

A student counts the stomata in five fields of view on a leaf peel: 14, 40, 16, 15 and 11.

1. (a)Identify the anomalous result.[1]
2. (b)Calculate the mean number of stomata per field of view, excluding the anomaly.[2]
3. (c)Explain why the anomaly should not be included in the mean.[1]
4. (d)Give two reasons for counting several fields of view.[2]

Predict and explain the change in transpiration rate when a plant is moved from a cool greenhouse into hot, dry, moving air outside.

1. (a)Predict the change.[1]
2. (b)Explain the effect of the higher temperature.[1]
3. (c)Explain the effect of the drier air.[1]
4. (d)Explain the effect of the moving air.[1]
5. (e)State one way the plant could limit the resulting water loss.[1]

A student investigates transpiration with a leafy shoot whose water uptake is measured every 10 minutes.

1. (a)Calculate the rate of uptake between 0 and 30 minutes, in cm³ per minute.[2]
2. (b)Calculate the rate between 30 and 40 minutes.[2]
3. (c)Suggest one reason the rate fell in the final period.[2]
4. (d)State one variable to keep constant in this investigation.[1]

Explain how water travels from soil to the air, naming every structure it passes.

1. (a)Describe the route.[4]
2. (b)Name the force that lifts the water and explain its origin.[2]

A grower wants to reduce water loss from crop plants without slowing photosynthesis.

1. (a)Explain why the two aims conflict.[2]
2. (b)Suggest and explain two practical measures the grower could take.[4]

Explain how the leaf is adapted for both photosynthesis and water conservation.

1. (a)Write a full explanation covering tissues, stomata and the cuticle.[6]

In a classic investigation, a scientist removes a complete ring of bark (which contains the phloem) from around the stem of a woody plant. Weeks later, a swelling of new tissue has formed just above the ring, while the leaves above the ring stay healthy and well watered.

1. (a)Name the two transport tissues and state which one the ring removed.[2]
2. (b)Explain why the swelling formed above the ring.[2]
3. (c)Explain why the leaves above the ring still received water.[2]