Photomicrograph Power-up Exercise

Class: Name: ( ) Marks: /10

Mammalian villi
Coverage:
Ch 2 The cell as the basic unit of life
Ch 3 Movement of substances across cell membrane
Ch 6 Nutrition in humans

Photomicrograph I shows a cross section of a part of the small intestine. Photomicrograph II

shows a part of structure R.

Photomicrograph I

R: _____________

P
Q
(×40)

Photomicrograph II

Y: _____________

(×500)

New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Third Edition)

 Oxford University Press 2021
1
Level 1
a Label structure R in photomicrograph I and structure Y in photomicrograph II. (2 marks)
 Absorption Ch 6 p. 26

b Name the organelles in the cells in photomicrograph II that are responsible for the
following functions. (2 marks)
Organelle Function
i Provides energy for food absorption
ii Contains genetic information needed for the production of
certain channel protein and carrier proteins
 Subcellular structures Ch 2 p. 21

Level 2

c With reference to two features observable in photomicrographs I and II, explain how
structure R facilitates food absorption. (2 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Absorption Ch 6 p. 26

d Food molecules are absorbed into cell X shown in photomicrograph II. Explain why the
absorption of food molecules helps the absorption of water into the cell. (2 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Movement of substances across cell membrane Ch 3 p. 15

e State the importance of P and Q to the functioning of the small intestine. (2 marks)

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________
 Absorption Ch 6 p. 26

Related DSE questions

Bio 2015 IA Q9
Bio 2013 IB Q3
New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Third Edition)
 Oxford University Press 2021
2
 Answers
a Structure R: villus 1m
Structure Y: microvillus / brush border 1m
b i Mitochondrion 1m
ii Nucleus 1m
c Many structure R in the inner wall increases the surface area for food absorption. 1m
Epithelial cells of structure R have a large number of structure Y / microvilli / have brush borders. This also
increases the surface area for food absorption. 1m
d The absorption of food molecules increases the water potential of the contents in the small intestine. 1m
As a result, water is drawn into the cell by osmosis. 1m
e They contract alternatively to bring about peristalsis. 1m
Peristalsis pushes food along the small intestine / mixes food with digestive juices for digestion /
brings the digested food into close contact with the villi for absorption. 1m
(Total: 10 m)

New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Third Edition)

 Oxford University Press 2021
3