Q1.

(a)     Give two similarities in the movement of substances by diffusion and by osmosis.

1. Particles move from an area of high concentration to an area of low

concentration.

2. Passive process
(2)

Q2.
 

(c)     When preparing the cells for observation the scientist placed them in a solution that
had a slightly higher (less negative) water potential than the cytoplasm. This did not
cause the cells to burst but moved the chromosomes further apart in order to reduce
the overlapping of the chromosomes when observed with an optical microscope.

Suggest how this procedure moved the chromosomes apart.

● Water moves into the cell via osmosis

● The cell swells up and the chromosomes move apart
(2)

Q3.
3Tradescantia is a house plant. There are small hairs on its flowers. These hairs are
made of cells. Figure 1 shows the appearance of cells from one of these hairs after 20
minutes in distilled water. Figure 2 shows cells from another hair after 20 minutes in a
solution of potassium nitrate.

Figure 1 (in distilled water)

Figure 2 (in potassium nitrate solution)

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(a)     What does Figure 2 suggest about the permeability of the plasma membranes
surrounding these cells?

Partially permeable
(1)

(c)     How would the water potential of the sap in the vacuole of cell E differ from the
water potential of the sap in the vacuole of cell D? Explain your answer.

The water potential is more negative so water moves out of the vacuole
(3)

Q4.
Tubifex worms are small, thin animals that live in water. They have no specialised gas
exchange or circulatory system.

The figure below shows a tubifex worm.

(d)     Species of tubifex worm that live in ponds, lakes and rivers cannot survive in
seawater.

Use your knowledge of water potential to explain why they cannot survive in
seawater.

Water moves into the worm via osmosis as there is a lower concentration of
water in the worm
(2)

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 Q5.
(a)     A plant cell was observed with an optical microscope. Describe how the length of
the cell could be estimated.

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________________
(2)

(b)     The water potential of a plant cell is –400 kPa. The cell is put in a solution with a
water potential of –650 kPa. Describe and explain what will happen to the cell.

Water moves out of the cell via osmosis as there is a higher concentration of
water inside the cell
(3)

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Mark schemes

Q1.
(a)     1.      (Movement) down a gradient / from high concentration to low concentration;
Ignore along / across gradient
Reject movement from gradient to gradient

2.      Passive / not active processes;

OR
Do not use energy from respiration / from ATP / from metabolism;
OR
Use energy from the solution;
Reject do not use energy unqualified
2

Q2.
(c)     1.      Water moves into the cells/cytoplasm by osmosis;
Reject water moving into chromosomes/nucleus.

2.      Cell/cytoplasm gets bigger;

Accept idea of cell/cytoplasm has greater
volume/swells/expands.
Ignore references to pressure changes, turgidity and
chromosomes being more dilute.
Ignore references to changing water/fluid contents of the
cell.
Allow ECF for ‘nucleus expands’ but not for ‘chromosomes
expand’.
2

Q3.
(a)     partially / selectively permeable accept semi-permeable
allows water to pass through but not potassium nitrate / solute;
1

(b)     potassium nitrate (solution);

cell wall permeable;
2

(c)     water potential more negative / lower in cell E; water removed;

greater solute / sap concentration (in cell);
3
[6]

Q4.

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 (d)     1.      Water potential higher in worm
OR
Lower water potential in seawater;
Accept: correct reference to water potential gradient if
direction of water movement is given.
Accept: ψ for water potential.
2.      Water leaves by osmosis (and worm dies);
Reject: worm/cells burst.
2

Q5.
(a)     Measure diameter of field with ruler; And proportion taken up by the cell; or Measure
length with (eyepiece) graticule / eyepiece scale;
Calibrated against stage micrometer / something of known length;
Reject divide apparent length by magnification
2

(b)     Membrane / cytoplasm shrinks / pulls away from cell wall / cell plasmolysed / goes
flaccid; Water moves down water potential gradient / to lower / more negative water
potential; By osmosis;
3

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