‭Plant biology important questions‬

‭Explain the cause of wilting in plant cells‬

‭●‬ L ‭ oss of water from leaf cells down water potential gradient‬
‭(osmosis)‬
‭●‬ ‭pressure of water on the cell wall (turgor pressure) decrease (plasmolysis may occur)‬
‭●‬ ‭Lack of support to the cell causes wilting‬

‭What happens during plasmolysis?‬

‭‬
● c‭ ytoplasm/ vacuole, decreases in, size/ volume ;‬
‭●‬ ‭cell membrane/ cytoplasm, pulls away from cell wall ;‬
‭●‬ ‭cells, are flaccid/ lose turgor pressure ;‬
‭●‬ ‭cells do not burst due to cell wall‬

‭Describe the use of different nutrients in plants.‬

‭ ‬ c‭ arbohydrates - used for making cellulose ; starch ; for energy/respiration ; to produce nectar‬
●
‭●‬ ‭Amino acids - To make proteins ; for enzymes ; To build and repair cells ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Sucrose - converted to glucose; provides energy; fruit/flower‬
‭formation; make cellulose (for cell wall); converted to amino acids;‬
‭AVP make nectar‬
‭●‬ ‭Nitrate ions - Make amino acids - Deficiency causes poor growth‬
‭●‬ ‭Magnesium ions - Make chlorophyll - causes yellowing of leaves‬

‭ escribe ways in which palisade mesophyll cells are adapted‬

D
‭contain many chloroplasts; are located near the top of the leaf; absorb‬
‭maximum sunlight‬

‭Explain how root hair cells are adapted for thier function.‬

r‭ oot hair increase surface area for absorption; branching roots go deep into the soil ;‬
‭The membrane of root hair cells has carrier proteins that aid active transport of ions.‬

‭Explain how xylem is adapted for its function.‬

‭Made of dead cells - no organelles/cell walls - creates a continuous/ wide path for water‬

‭Walls are made of lignin which is strong and waterproof, to provide support (keep upright)‬
‭What is the feature and adaptation of epidermis?‬

t‭ransparent/ clear/ no chloroplast ⇒ allows light to pass through. thin/ flat ⇒ so‬
‭less cytoplasm/ more light, to pass through‬
‭guard cells/ stomata ⇒ allow gasses to enter/ leave the leaf/ gas exchang‬

‭What is the feature and adaptation of mesophyll?‬

‭contains many chloroplasts (palisade) ⇒ trapping light energy‬

v‭ ertically/ tightly, packed/ column-shaped (palisade) ⇒ maximise light received (by cells)/‬
‭reduce number of, cross/ cell, walls‬
c‭ ontain (air) spaces/ loosely packed (spongy) ⇒ for diffusion/ movement of gases (within‬
‭leaf)‬

‭Why does an increase in temperature increase the rate of photosynthesis?‬

i‭ncreased kinetic energy; leads to faster the movement of molecules by osmosis or diffusion ; more‬
‭collisions between substrate and enzymes ; this speeds up chemical reactions ;‬

‭ xplain the mechanism that is responsible for the movement of water in xylem‬
E
‭vessels.‬

‭ he constant loss of water through leaf and out of the stomata (Transpiration) causes a‬
T
‭reduction in the pressure at the top of the xylem, creating a‬‭transpiration pull‬‭This‬
‭causes the movement of water up the xylem vessel from a region of higher to lower‬
‭pressure.‬

‭Explain the role of phloem in plant transport.‬

‭ hloem transports sucrose and amino acids from the source (where it is produced) to‬
P
‭the sink (Where it is required) this process is translocation‬

‭Outline how water that has entered a root hair cell reaches the stomata.‬

‭ .‬ ‭water moves from root cells, into xylem ; ;‬

1
‭2.‬ ‭(this) pulls on/ creates tension (in water column in xylem) ;‬
 ‭ .‬
3 ‭ ater moves up/ through, the xylem ;‬
W
‭4.‬ ‭mass flow of water (in xylem)/ transpiration stream ;‬
‭5.‬ ‭water moves into leaf by osmosis (from xylem) ;‬
‭6.‬ ‭loss of water from leaf (cells) lowers water potential ;‬
‭7.‬ ‭evaporation, from surfaces of (mesophyll) cells / into air spaces ;‬

‭outline the process of fertilization in plants‬

‭ .‬ ‭pollen (from anther) lands on stigma‬

1
‭2.‬ ‭pollen (grain) grows pollen tube‬
‭3.‬ ‭pollen tube grows down the style‬
‭4.‬ ‭reaches the ovule‬
‭5.‬ ‭(tip of) pollen tube breaks open‬
‭6.‬ ‭male gamete travels down the pollen tube‬
‭7.‬ ‭male gamete enter ovule‬
‭8.‬ ‭(male gamete) fuse with female gamete‬
‭9.‬ ‭zygote forms.‬
‭10.‬ ‭Ovule forms seed‬
‭11.‬ ‭Ovary forms fruit‬

‭What are the advantages of self-pollination.‬

‭‬
● ‭ reater chance of fertilization;‬
g
‭●‬ ‭not dependent on any agent of pollination ;‬
‭●‬ ‭useful if plants are (geographically) isolated / on their own / AW‬
‭●‬ ‭less wastage of pollen ;‬
‭●‬ ‭only one plant needed / no mate required ;‬
‭●‬ ‭parent plants adapted to the environment, pass alleles to offspring / AW‬
‭●‬ ‭adapted variety spreads ;‬
‭●‬ ‭idea that reproduction / fertilisation, successful if no other plants (of same‬
‭species) nearby ;‬
‭What are the advantages of cross-pollination.‬

‭‬
● ‭ llows, variation / genetic diversity ;‬
a
‭●‬ ‭plant more likely to survive (named) environmental change ;‬
‭●‬ ‭resistance to disease ;‬
‭●‬ ‭(ability to) evolve ;‬
‭●‬ ‭ref. to fitness ;‬

‭What are the disadvantages of self-pollination.‬

‭‬
● l‭i no, variation / (genetic) diversity ;‬
‭●‬ ‭increase chance of genetic disease ;‬
‭●‬ ‭risk of extinction ;‬
‭●‬ ‭ref to becoming homozygous ;‬
‭●‬ ‭less chance of, adapting to changing conditions‬
 ‭What are the disadvantages of cross -pollination.‬

‭‬
● ‭ ore pollen grains are required/pollen wastage‬
M
‭●‬ ‭More energy required for reproduction / to attract pollinators‬
‭●‬ ‭Dependent on pollinators‬
‭●‬ ‭Reduced chance of fertilization/pollination‬
‭●‬ ‭(Genetic) Variation can be harmful (if species are well adapted)‬

‭State how self-pollination differs from cross-pollination‬

‭ ‬ s‭ elf-pollination is within the same, plant/flower ;‬

●
‭●‬ ‭cross-pollination is between different plants (of same species) ;‬

‭State structural features of wind pollinated plants.‬

‭‬
● l‭ong filaments ;‬
‭●‬ ‭anthers / stamens, hang outside/anthers / stamens, easily exposed to the wind ;‬
‭●‬ ‭stigma/ style, hangs outside ;‬
‭●‬ ‭large/ feathery / hairy, stigma ;‬
‭●‬ ‭small/ light, pollen ;‬

‭State structural features of insect pollinated plants.‬

‭‬
● l‭arge and brightly coloured petals‬
‭●‬ ‭large sticky and spiky pollen grains‬
‭●‬ ‭anther inside the flower‬
‭●‬ ‭stigma inside flower‬
‭●‬ ‭nectar is present‬
‭●‬ ‭scent is present‬
‭●‬ ‭moderate number of pollen grains‬

‭State an advantage of seed dispersal.‬

‭ ‬ c‭ olonize new areas ;‬

●
‭●‬ ‭reduce competition ;‬
‭●‬ ‭reduce inbreeding ;‬

‭What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?‬

‭‬
● ‭ aintain/ increase, population‬
m
‭●‬ ‭allow variation‬
‭●‬ ‭allow adaptation to, new/ changed environment(s)‬
‭●‬ ‭allow natural selection/ evolution/ formation of new species.‬
‭●‬ ‭variation caused by meiosis‬
 ‭ ‬ r‭ andom fusion of gametes‬
●
‭●‬ ‭ability to express recessive trails.‬
‭●‬ ‭allows to use selective breeding‬

‭What are the disadvantage of sexual reproduction?‬

‭‬ S
● ‭ low‬
‭●‬ ‭Lots of energy is needed‬
‭●‬ ‭Need 2 parents‬

‭What are the advantages and disadvantages of asexual reproduction?‬

‭Advantage‬

‭‬
● ‭ uick‬
Q
‭●‬ ‭One parent is needed‬
‭●‬ ‭Does not need much energy‬
‭●‬ ‭No gametes‬
‭●‬ ‭no harmful variation‬

‭Disadvantage‬

‭‬ n
● ‭ o / little, (genetic) variation ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Limited ability to adapt to change in environment/ cannot adapt to changed‬
‭environment‬
‭●‬ ‭competition for resources as all individuals are close together ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Lack of diversity‬
‭●‬ ‭Risk of overpopulation‬
‭●‬ ‭increased risk of inheriting harmful, alleles / features / trait ;‬
‭●‬ ‭all individuals are susceptible to the same, diseases / pests ;‬
‭●‬ ‭higher risk of extinction ;‬

‭Explain how natural selection differs form selective breeding/ artificial‬‭selection.‬

‭●‬ N ‭ atural selection occurs when‬‭Fittest‬‭organisms are‬‭selected‬‭by the‬

‭environment.‬‭This is a relatively‬‭slow‬‭process, and‬‭changes in features are‬
‭small‬‭.‬
‭●‬ ‭While in Artificial selection‬‭humans‬‭select organisms‬‭with most‬‭desirable traits‬‭,‬
‭producing‬‭significant‬‭change‬‭in features in a‬‭fast‬‭process‬

‭Define fitness.‬

‭The probability of an organism surviving and reproducing in the environment where it is found‬

‭Define the term adaptive feature.‬

‭ n inherited feature that increases the fitness of an organism, increasing its chance to survive and‬
A
‭reproduce‬
‭State adaptation of xerophytes.‬

‭‬
● ‭ tem - swollen‬
S
‭●‬ ‭roots - extensive/ widespread/ shallow root system/ deep.‬
‭●‬ ‭sunken stomata ;‬
‭●‬ ‭thick epidermis / thick waterproof cuticle ;‬
‭●‬ ‭few / no / small, leaves ;‬
‭●‬ ‭hairs on leaves ;‬

‭Describe and explain adaptation of hydrophytes.‬

‭‬
● l‭eaves have large surface area - to float ;‬
‭●‬ ‭stomata only on upper surface - only upper surface exposed to air/ to allow diffusion of gases‬
‭●‬ ‭lots of air spaces between cells - buoyancy‬
‭●‬ ‭aerial roots - allow roots to receive oxygen ;‬

‭Why it is more efficient for humans to eat plant than to eat animals.‬
‭‬
● (‭ energy lost) as heat between trophic levels‬
‭●‬ ‭(used in) respiration/metabolic process/ movement‬
‭●‬ ‭not all of the prey is digestible by predator‬
‭●‬ ‭10% energy transfer 90% energy loss‬

‭ xplain the advantages of presenting information about food webs as a‬‭pyramid‬

E
‭of biomass and not as a pyramid of numbers.‬

‭●‬ i‭n a pyramid of numbers one large individual is shown in the same way as one‬
‭very tiny individual ;‬
‭●‬ ‭biomass indicates how much food there is, available / left ;‬
‭●‬ ‭biomass is an indicator of the energy available ;‬
‭●‬ ‭pyramid of biomass is pyramid shaped whereas a pyramid of numbers is not always;‬

‭Describe the Advantages and disadvantages of intensive production of livestock.‬

‭Advantages‬

‭‬
● c‭ heaper and easier to produce‬
‭●‬ ‭lower costs for consumers‬
‭●‬ ‭easier to monitor and manage the animals‬
‭●‬ ‭quicker process of production‬
‭●‬ ‭higher yields‬
‭Disadvantages‬

‭‬
● ‭ nimal Welfare issues‬
A
‭●‬ ‭quick spread of diseases‬
‭●‬ ‭waste from farming unit pollutes environment‬
‭●‬ ‭Food/water used to feed animals could be directly consumed by humans‬

‭What are the impacts of monoculture on the environment?‬

‭●‬ ‭loss of biodiversity‬
‭●‬ ‭Threat of disease outbreak‬
‭●‬ ‭disruption of food chain‬
‭●‬ ‭disrupted soil fertility/ infertility of soil‬
‭●‬ ‭competition for resources‬

‭Discuss the advantages of growing crops in glasshouses.‬

‭1 glasshouses can maintain, optimum / AW, conditions for photosynthesis ;‬

‭ ref. to limiting factors for, photosynthesis / growth ;‬
2
‭3 to increase yield / continuous production / production independent of seasons ;‬

‭Explain how greenhouse effect occurs‬

‭ arbon Dioxide allows shortwave radiation from the sun to mass through the atmosphere,‬
C
‭the ground is warmed, and emits infrared radiation of a longer wavelength. Much of this is trapped by‬
‭carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses. Causing the earth to become warmer.‬

‭Outline the nitrogen cycle‬

‭1.‬ N ‭ itrogen fixation - Inert N2 in the air is converted to ammonium or nitrate‬
‭ions due to lighting, or nitrogen fixing bacteria in root legumes‬
‭2.‬ ‭Plants use fixed nitrogen to make amino acids (Proteins).‬
‭ .‬
3 ‭ nimals eat plants‬
A
‭4.‬ ‭Animal dies‬
‭5.‬ ‭Decomposers breakdown proteins into ammonium ions‬
‭6.‬ ‭Decomposers also convert nitrogenous waste from animals to‬
‭ammonium ions by deamination‬
‭ .‬ ‭These ammonium ions are converted back into nitrogen(N2) in the air‬
7
‭Outline the carbon cycle‬
‭ .‬
1 ‭ hotosynthesis uses CO2‬
P
‭2.‬ ‭Animals consume carbon compounds‬
‭3.‬ ‭Animal respiration releases CO2‬
‭4.‬ ‭Plants die and are fossilized - Decomposers release CO2‬
‭5.‬ ‭combustion of fossil fuels releases CO2‬

‭How eutrophication occurs?‬

‭1.‬ f‭ertiliser / nutrients, leached into / enter, rivers / streams / lakes ; 2.‬
‭causing algal bloom / algae growth ;‬
‭2.‬ ‭algae block sunlight from entering water ;‬
‭3.‬ ‭so rooted plants unable to photosynthesise ;‬
‭4.‬ ‭so (rooted) plants die ;‬
‭5.‬ ‭bacteria, decompose / feed, on dead plants ;‬
‭6.‬ ‭so bacterial population increase ;‬
‭7.‬ ‭bacteria respire aerobically ;‬
‭8.‬ ‭bacteria use up the oxygen in the water ;‬
‭9.‬ ‭organisms / fish / creatures, die / suffocate / migrate, due to lack of oxygen ;‬

‭Explain the effects of soil erosion on ecosystems.‬

‭‬
● s‭ ilting of rivers ;‬
‭●‬ ‭landslides / mudslides ;‬
‭●‬ ‭soil does not absorb (rain)water / increased risk of flooding‬
‭●‬ ‭plants cannot grow (well) ;‬
‭●‬ ‭idea of reduced (soil) fertility / increased leaching / AW ;‬

‭Outline the effects of deforestation on the environment‬

‭‬
● ‭soil erosion ;‬
‭●‬ ‭flooding ;‬
‭●‬ ‭landslides ;‬
‭●‬ ‭leaching/ loss of nutrients ;‬
‭●‬ ‭drought ;‬
‭●‬ ‭desertification ;‬
‭●‬ ‭loss of habitat ;‬
‭●‬ ‭extinction/endangerment of species / loss of biodiversity ;‬
‭●‬ ‭disruption of, food chains /food webs ;‬
‭●‬ ‭burning of trees increases carbon dioxide in the atmosphere ;‬
‭●‬ ‭decreased photosynthesis so,decreased oxygen, in atmosphere ;‬
‭Explain how forests can be conserved.‬

‭‬
● ‭ ducation / awareness, of the importance of forests ;‬
E
‭●‬ ‭Protected areas / reserves ;‬
‭●‬ ‭(Legal) restricted to cut number of trees / Ban deforestation ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Reforestation / replanting of, (native) trees ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Planting of, nitrogen-fixing species, to increase soil fertility ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Seed banks / frozen zoos / cryopreservation / AW ;‬

‭Explain why conservation of endangered animals is important?‬

‭‬
● ‭ aintain (bio)diversity/ genetic diversity‬
m
‭●‬ ‭maintain, food chain/ balanced ecosystems‬
‭●‬ ‭species available for scientific study‬
‭●‬ ‭retain for future generations‬
‭How endangered species can be conserved?‬

‭‬
● ‭ ducation / awareness ;‬
e
‭●‬ ‭monitoring / AW, population(s) / individual(s) ;‬
‭●‬ ‭habitat, protection / restoration ;‬
‭●‬ ‭reducing / prevention, of pollution ;‬
‭●‬ ‭removal / AW, of alien species ;‬
‭●‬ ‭hunting ban / prevent poaching ;‬
‭●‬ ‭international agreements to limit trade ;‬
‭●‬ ‭artificial insemination / IVF AW ;‬
‭●‬ ‭reintroduction programmes ;‬
‭●‬ ‭captive breeding / breeding programme ;‬
‭●‬ ‭preventing colonisation by alien species ;‬
‭●‬ ‭government / legislation, to protect species ;‬
‭●‬ ‭create, exclusion zones / reserves/zoos / botanical gardens/wildlife‬
‭parks‬
‭ ‬ ‭seed banks / frozen zoos / cryopreservation / AW ;‬
●

‭How can we prevent overfishing?‬

‭‬
● ‭education / awareness‬
‭●‬ (‭ legal) quotas / treaties / licenses / laws / restricted catch weight ;‬
‭●‬ ‭ensuring sustainable population size / recovery of, endangered species‬
‭●‬ ‭Restriction on net size (to protect smaller fish/ endangered species)‬
‭Discuss the effects of non-biodegradable plastics on terrestrial ecosystems.‬

‭‬
● v‭ isual pollution ;‬
‭●‬ ‭chemical exposure / fumes / toxins ;‬
‭●‬ ‭Blocks digestive system of animals (kills them)‬
‭●‬ ‭(plastic) accumulates in an organism / is passed down a food chain ;‬
‭●‬ ‭remain in the ecosystem (for a very long time) leads to habitat destruction ;‬
‭;‬

‭Describe the causes of famine.‬

‭lack of food supply / unequal distribution of food ;‬

‭wars / sudden immigration, with inadequate resources for the population ; drought /‬

‭floods, destroy crops / kill livestock ; disease in, food plants / animals ; poverty ;‬

‭Describe how drought can contribute to famine.‬

‭‬
● ‭ rought is a lack of, water / rainfall ;‬
d
‭●‬ ‭destruction of, crops ;‬
‭●‬ ‭seeds / plants, can’t germinate ;‬
‭●‬ ‭soil erosion / desertification ;‬
‭●‬ ‭plants lack water for photosynthesis ;‬
‭●‬ ‭plants wilt ;‬
‭●‬ ‭less, food / water, for livestock ;‬

‭ tate and explain ways in which modern technology has resulted in increased‬‭food‬
S
‭production.‬

‭●‬ s‭ elective breeding qualified with feature e.g. increase in crop yield ; genetic engineering‬
‭qualified with a correct feature ;‬
‭●‬ ‭use of antibiotics to increase yield (in livestock) ;‬
‭●‬ ‭agricultural machinery, to work larger fields /AW ;‬
‭●‬ ‭fertilisers, to increase plant growth/ provide mineral ions / salts / (named) nutrient‬
‭●‬ ‭pesticides / insecticides to kill pests to prevent crop destruction ;‬
‭●‬ ‭fungicides, to kill fungi to stop disease/reduce crop destruction ;‬
‭●‬ ‭herbicides to kills weeds to reduce competition ;‬
‭List reasons for why bacteria are used in biotechnology‬

‭‬
● ‭ resence of plasmids‬
p
‭●‬ ‭rapid rate of reproduction‬
‭●‬ ‭no ethical consideration‬
‭●‬ ‭ability to make complex molecules‬
‭●‬ ‭cost effective‬

‭Describe the advantages and disadvantages of genetically‬

‭modifying crops.‬

‭Advantages‬

‭‬
● ‭ isease resistance ;‬
d
‭●‬ ‭large, yield ;‬
‭●‬ ‭drought resistance ;‬
‭●‬ ‭pest / insect, resistance ;‬
‭●‬ ‭(named) nutritional enrichment ;‬
‭●‬ ‭benefit to humans ; e.g. food shortage / described health benefit‬

‭Disadvantages‬
‭‬
● r‭ educed natural biodiversity ;‬
‭●‬ ‭insect-resistant plants negatively affect pollinators ;‬
‭●‬ ‭cross-pollinate into wild populations ;‬
‭●‬ ‭(GM seeds are) expensive‬
‭●‬ ‭ethical concerns of consumers ;‬