1. Explain the differences of parenchyma, collenchyma and sclerenchyma tissues.

• Parenchyma tissue is the simplest living cell and does not undergo differentiation. Collenchyma
tissue is made of living cells which mature into cells that are flexible. Sclerenchyma tissues consist of
dead cells when matured.
• Parenchyma tissue has the thinnest cell wall. The cell wall of collenchyma tissue is thicker than the
parenchyma tissue. The cell wall of sclerenchyma tissue is the thickest among the three ground
tissues.
• Parenchyma tissues are involved in photosynthesis, help in the storage of starch and sugar, and
involved in gaseous exchange. Collenchyma tissues provide mechanical support and elasticity to
plants. Sclerenchyma tissues provide support and mechanical strength to the parts of matured
plants.

2. How is the structure of xylem adapted to its functions?

Xylem is made up of dead cells without cytoplasm. Xylem consists of xylem vessels that are
elongated, hollow and connected to each other from the roots to the leaves. This enables xylem to
transport water and mineral salt to all parts of the plant.

3. The figure below shows a cross-section of a plant stem that undergoes secondary growth.

(a) Label the primary xylem, primary phloem, secondary xylem and secondary phloem.
(b) Explain the formation of secondary xylem and secondary phloem.

(b) Secondary growth occurs when the vascular cambium divides actively through mitosis. The cells
in the cambium ring divide inwards to form new xylem and outwards to form new phloem. The new
xylem tissues become secondary xylem and the new phloem tissues become secondary phloem.
4. Why is secondary growth important to plants?

The importance of secondary growth:

• To provide stability to plants by increasing the stem and root diameters to suit the height of plants.
• To produce more xylem and phloem tissues.

5. Figure 1 shows three examples of tissues which are found in plants.

Identify tissue A, tissue B and tissue C. State one characteristic and function of each tissue.

Tissue A: Meristematic tissue

Characteristic: Has thin cell walls, large nucleus, dense cytoplasm and small vacuoles.
Function: Young tissue that actively divides through mitosis

Tissue B: Collenchyma tissue

Characteristic: Cells walls made of pectin and hemicellulose
Function: Provides mechanical support and elasticity to plants

Tissue C: Sclerenchyma tissue

Characteristic: Has a very thick cell wall
Function: Provides support and mechanical strength to the parts of matured plants.

6. Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.2 show the average of stomata size in two different types of plants in a 24-hour
duration. One of the plants is placed in a humid surrounding whereas another plant is placed in a hot and
dry surrounding.

(a) Which graph shows the plant that has been placed in a hot and dry surrounding?
(b) Explain your answer in 4(a).
(c) Why is the average of stomata size at night smaller than day time?
(d) Predict two characteristics of the plant structures which have been placed in a hot and dry surrounding
in order to continue living.

Answer:
(a) Graph in Figure 1.2

(b) At noon, the weather is hot and dry and this reduces the average number of stomata that is
open. This in turn reduces excessive loss of water.

(c) The guard cells do not carry out photosynthesis and are straight.

(d) Stems or succulent leaves store water, has thick cuticle layers and fibrous roots.

7. (a) Name two types of reactions in photosynthesis.

(b) In which reaction is chlorophyll needed? Explain.

Answer:
(a) Light-dependent reactions and light-independent reactions

(b) Light-dependent reactions. Light energy is absorbed by chlorophyll to excite electrons or for
photolysis.

8. Mr. Ali uses a technique shown in Photograph 1 for his herb plants. He uses wicks immersed in a
nutrient solution to fulfil the needs of his plants.

(a) What is the technique used by Mr. Ali?

(b) State four basic needs of plants to ensure Mr. Ali’s plants grow well and healthily.
(c) Justify the usage of wicks in the technique used by Mr. Ali.
(d) Explain the root adaptations that enable the plants to obtain enough nutrients.
Answer:
(a) Hydroponics

(b) Water, light, nutrient and air

(c) The wick is used to absorb water and nutrient from the nutrient solution. A wet wick ensures
that roots receive enough water and nutrients.

(d) This method is suitable for herbs and small plants. These type of plants have a fibrous root
system to ensure maximum absorption of water and nutrients.

9. Photograph 2.1 and Photograph 2.2 show two types of plants which can be found in a tropical rainforest
ecosystem. Both of these plants carry out different modes of nutritions. The plant in Photograph 2.1 can
produce their own food by photosynthesis whereas the plant in Photograph 2.2 depends on other plants for
nutrition.

(a) State the role of the plant in Photograph 2.1 in a tropical rainforest ecosystem.
(b) Explain the importance of the plant in Photograph 2.2 in a tropical rainforest ecosystem.
(c) Explain the differences of nutritional adaptations of both plants.

Answer:
(a) The plant in Photograph 2.1 is a producer in food chains and provides food to consumers in the
rainforest ecosystem.

(b) The plant in Photograph 2.2 is a parasitic plant that can change the physical environment
around them such as water and nutrients in the soil. Its host will absorb more water and nutrients
from the soil causing the change in the supply of sources of the surrounding organism. The
interaction between the parasitic plants and the host can also maintain the flow of energy and
ecosystem balance in tropical rainforests.

(c) The plant in Photograph 2.1 has chlorophyll. This plant produces its own food by synthesising
complex organic compounds from simple inorganic materials through photosynthesis. The plant in
Photograph 2.2 does not have chlorophyll, so this plant is unable to carry out photosynthesis. This
plant absorbs water and nutrients from the host plant. Its roots penetrate the stem of the host to the
vascular bundle.
10. (a) Are xylem vessels living or dead structures? Give a reason for your answer.
(b) What is the main function of the xylem vessel? State three structural adaptations of the xylem vessels
and their functions.
(c) How are the adaptations in the roots of plants similar to the adaptations of the small intestines in
humans for nutrient absorption? Explain.
(d) Systemic pesticides could be absorbed and carried throughout the whole plant. Does spraying
pesticides systematically onto leaves kill insects such as aphids that primarily feed on the shoots of
plants? Explain.

Answer:
(a) Xylem tissues are dead cells at maturity as they are hollow and do not have cytoplasm.

(b) To transport water and mineral salts that are absorbed by the roots, to the stems and leaves.
Adaptations:
• The tissue is hollow to allow water transport.
• The walls have lignin to provide support and prevent them from collapsing.
• Arranged longitudinally from end to end to allow water flow.

(c) The high number of root hairs increases the surface area for water absorption. This is similar to
the high number of villi in the small intestine that increases the surface area for nutrient absorption
from digested food.

(d) Systemic pesticides seep into plants. When insect pests consume and digest the plant, the
chemicals in the pesticide kills it.

11. Photosynthesis products such as sucrose are transported by the phloem through translocation from the
leaves to other parts of the plants such as the seeds, fruit, roots and tubers.
(a) Describe the pathway of sucrose molecules as it is transported from the leaves to other parts of the
plant such as the fruit.
(b) Plan an experiment using aphids to prove that the translocation of sucrose and amino acids occur in
the phloem.

Answer:
(a) Sucrose is transported through companion cells from the leaves to the sieve tubes. This reduces
the water potential in the sieve tube. Water diffuses into the sieve tube by osmosis and increases the
hydrostatic pressure in the sieve tube. The phloem sap is transported from the sieve tubes to other
parts such as fruits and tubers.

(b) Expose a balsam plant under sunlight for one hour. Introduce an aphid to the young stem of the
plant. Observe the aphid with a magnifying glass. Using a knife, separate the body of the aphid
from the stylet once the stylet is embedded into the phloem. Place a microscope slide at the edge of
the stylet to collect the secreted liquid. Observe the liquid under a light microscope.
12. Ethylene is a phytohormone that exists in the form of gas, is odourless and invisible.
Phytohormones control the ripening of plants.

(a) Mrs. Faridah placed an unripe key lime fruit together with a ripe banana in a closed container at room
temperature.
(i) Justify Mrs. Faridah’s decision to put both fruits in the same closed container.
(ii) Predict what would happen to the key lime. Explain your answer.
(iii) What will happen to the key lime fruit if the container is placed in the fridge? Explain your answer.

(b) Suggest a method that can be used on fruits bound for export to delay ripening during transport.
Justify your suggestion.

Answer:
(a)(i) This method can speed up the ripening of key lime.

(a)(ii) The colour of the fruit changes from green to yellow and the fruit will also soften. The ripe
banana releases ethylene. Ethylene breaks down the chlorophyll (green pigment) in the skin of the
key lime fruit, turning it yellow. Ethylene also stimulates cellulase enzyme to hydrolyse the cell walls
of key lime to turn the fruit soft.

(a)(iii) The ripening will be delayed. The lower temperature in the fridge causes the enzymes
involved to be less active.

(b) First method – Vacuum-pack before exporting the fruit. Removal of air or oxygen prevents the
production of ethylene. This will delay ripening during the journey.
Second method – Place the fruit in a refrigerator. Lower temperatures delay the ripening of fruit.

13.

Photograph 1 shows insect pollination in your fruit orchard. You find your yield to be contaminated by
high concentrations of insecticide. As a farmer, explain how you can overcome this issue and the steps
you can take to increase the quality of fruits in your orchard.

Answer:
To prevent the use of pesticides, make sure no insects were involved in the pollination process. Fruit
can be produced via parthenocarpy. Auxin is sprayed on the stigma to stimulate ovaries to develop
into fruit without fertilisation. The fruit produced will be larger and seedless.
14. The stigma secretes a sugary solution called nectar. What is the importance of the solution?

Answer:
Stimulate the germination of the pollen grains to form pollen tube.
Makes the stigma sticky and allows the pollen grain to stick to it.

15. The formation of pollen grains involves the division of cells by meiosis and mitosis. State the
importance of both processes.

Answer:
Meiosis – Produces haploid gamete cells
Mitosis – Increases the number of nucleus to develop into pollen grains

16. In some species, the petals are not included in the reproductive structure of the flower, but they are
very important in ensuring that reproduction occurs. Why?

Answer:
The colour of the petals can attract pollinating agents

17. Flower X is pollinated by insects. State the position of the anther and stigma of the flower. Explain
your answer.

Answer:
Located inside the petals. This ensures the insects that enter the flower for nectar will come into
contact with pollen grains and transfer them to the stigma.

18. Photograph 1 shows an Aloe vera plant in a pot.

(a) State two features that you can observe on the Aloe vera plant.
(b) From the features you stated in question 2(a), identify the type of this plant based on its habitat.
(c) Explain the adaptive features that enable Aloe vera plant to thrive in its habitat.
(d) If you live in a cold climate country, what is the action that you can take on the Aloe vera plant in
Photograph 1 to ensure it survives?
Answer:
(a) Two features of Aloe vera plant: thorny and succulent

(b) Xerophytes.

(c) The thorns on the leaves protect the Aloe vera plant from becoming food to animals. Succulent
leaves reduce water loss through evaporation to the environment.

(d) Bring the Aloe vera plant inside the house. This is because the roots of this plant rot easily when
exposed to an abundance of water.

19. Suggest one way to produce a chemical poison that can be used to kill termites without harming other
beneficial insects.

Answer:
• Termites live in symbiosis with a type of protozoa called Triconympha sp.
• This protozoa lives in the intestines of the termite and secretes cellulase enzymes to digest wood
(cellulose) which is absorbed by the termites.
• Termites cannot produce cellulase enzyme.
• Thus, the best way to exterminate the termites is to exterminate the protozoa.
• If the protozoa dies, then the termites also die as they cannot obtain nutrients from the wood they
eat.

20. Read the statement below.

All organisms depend on one another for species survival. When a species becomes extinct,
other species will also be affected by the loss. Species extinction also leaves bad consequences on
human life.

Based on this statement, discuss the steps that can be taken to preserve and conserve biodiversity in
Malaysia.

Answer:
Methods to preserve and conserve the biodiversity in Malaysia:
• Replant trees that have been cut down
• Reduce deforestation
• Gazette more forest areas as forest reserves
• To consider the ecosystems when planning development activities
• Ensure the damage to the environment is minimised when planning an infrastructure
• To use the laws to penalise those involved in illegal logging, deforestation or illegal poaching
21. R, S and T in Figure below show three types of interactions between organisms.

(a)(i) Name the type of interaction represented by R and S.

(ii) Describe the interaction represented by R.
(b)(i) In the interactions represented by S and T, what terms are used to describe organisms X and Y?
(ii) State one characteristics of organism X that adapts it for the interaction.
(c) The rubber tree in the interaction represented by S dies.
Explain what will happen to organism X.
(d) Saw dust can be used in the interaction represented by T for the commercial cultivation of
mushrooms.
Explain how mushrooms can grow on saw dust.

Answer:
(a)(i) Organism R: Mutualism/ symbiosis
Organism S: Commensalism

(a)(ii) Nitrogen-fixing bacteria in the root nodules fix nitrogen to form ammonia which is used by
the plant while Rhizobium bacteria get shelter from the plant.

(b)(i) X: Epiphyte
Y: Saprophyte

(b)(ii) The presence of aerial roots which absorb moisture from the air

(c) X continues to grow because it photosynthesises.

(d) Mushrooms grow on dead organic matter.

Mushrooms secrete enzymes which digest the complex organic matter to simple substances.
22. (a) Diagram I shows the effects of farming activities near a pond.

Explain how the farming activities cause the death of the aquatic plants and the fishes in the pond.

(b) Diagram II shows a new industrial area situated near a residential area.

Discuss the good and the bad effects caused by the industrial activities on human and environment in
years to come.

Answer:
(a) – Farmers use fertilisers that usually contain nitrates and phosphates.
– Fertilisers which contain nitrates/ phosphates may leach into the pond when it rains.
– Algae in the lake grow faster.
– They may grow so much that they completely cover the water.
– Black out the light for plants growing beneath them.
– Photosynthesis rate is reduced. Dissolved oxygen also reduced.
– Plants on the top of the water and beneath the water eventually die.
– Their remains are a good source of food for bacteria. Bacteria decomposed the dead plant rapidly.
– The large population of bacteria respires, using up oxygen, so there is very little oxygen left for
other living organisms.
– BOD increased. Water population increases. Those aquatic plants and fish which need oxygen die.
(b) Advantages:
– More job opportunities
– More economic activities and development projects
– Attract tourists
– Improve infrastructure
Disadvantages:
– Can cause respiratory problems/ asthma/ bronchitis/ irritates the eye
– Crime rate increases
Environment:
– Industries emit poisonous gases such as sulphur dioxide/ oxides of nitrogen/ smoke/ fine solid
particles
– Contribute to air pollution
– Oxides of nitrogen and Sulphur dioxide dissolve in rain water to form acid rain.
– Makes the soil acidic and unsuitable for the cultivation of crops
– Smoke and haze reduce light intensity reaching stomata and cause the rate of photosynthesis to
decrease
– Which subsequently reduces crop yield
– Carbon dioxide leads to the greenhouse effect, resulting in an increase in the atmospheric
temperature
– Cause the extinction of organisms

23. A man has normal eyesight whereas his wife is colour blind. XB is a dominant allele for normal
eyesight whereas Xb is a recessive allele for colour blindness. What is the probability of their children
having:
(a) Colour blindness?
(b) Normal eyesight but a carrier?
Explain your answers using a schematic diagram.

Answer:
Schematic diagram for colour blindness trait:

(a) 50%
(b) 50%
24. Tables 1.1 and 1.2 show data that were collected for two different characteristics from 35 pupils in
Form 5 Bunga Raya.

(a)(i) State the types of variation for body mass and types of earlobes.
(a)(ii) State two differences between body mass variation and types of earlobes variation.
(b) Figure 1.1 shows a karyotype of an individual who has a genetic disease caused by mutation.

(i) State the disease shown in Figure 1.1.

(ii) Which type of mutation causes the disease stated in 1(b)(i)?
(iii) Explain how the type of mutation in 1(b)(ii) causes the disease.

(c) The statement below describes trees of the same species planted in two different plots, X and Y on a
farm.

The plantation was infected and all trees in plot X were killed whereas only part of the plants in plot Y
died of the infection. Explain why all the plants in plot X were killed.
Answer:
(a)(i) Body mass: Continuous variation
Types of earlobes: Discontinuous variation

(a)(ii)

(Any two characteristics)

(b)(i) Down syndrome

(b)(ii) Chromosomal mutation

(b)(iii) Failure of chromosome 21 to separate during meiosis / occurrence of nondisjunction of

chromosome 21. It produces two chromosome 21 in one gamete. When this gamete is fertilised by a
normal gamete, a zygote with three chromosome 21 is formed.

(c) Trees in plot X are produced from tissue culture / cloning. Therefore, all trees have the same
characteristics as their parent. Clones do not show variation in terms of genetics. They have similar
resistance towards a disease. If there is an infection, all clones will be wiped out because they cannot
survive the disease.