S2 REVISION EXERCISES OF BIOLOGY

1. The diagram shows a section through a leaf.

(a) Name the parts labeled A, B, C and F.

(b) The upper layers of a leaf are transparent. Suggest the advantages of this feature.
(c) The cuticle is made up of waxy material. What is its advantage to a plant?

2. The diagram below is a transverse section of a certain part of a dicotyledonous

plant.

(a) Which part of the plant was the section made from?
(b) Give reason for your answer in (a) above.
(c) State the function of the parts labeled A and B.

3. The graph below shows the effect of increasing light intensity on the rate of
photosynthesis.

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(a) Explain what happens to the rate of photosynthesis as light intensity is increased
between A and B.
(b) Explain why the rate of photosynthesis does not continue to icrease with increase
in light intensity between B and C.
4. The following set-ups were prepared to investigate the action of a digestive enzyme.
After 30 minutes, the test tubes were tested for the presence of starch.

Test tube A Test tube B Test tube C Test tube D

Starch Starch Starch Starch
Salivary amylase Salivary amylase None Salivary amylase
Acid Neutral Alkali Alkali
37oC 37oC 37oC 50oC

(a) In which test tube would starch be absent? Explain.

(b) Why does each of the other tubes still contain some starch?
(c) Which properties of enzymes does this experiment test?

5. In table form, distinguish enzymes with other catalysts.

6. What does the key and lock hypothesis refer to with regard to enzyme action?

7. Digestion of starch by enzyme amylase begins in the mouth but stops when the food
arrives in the stomach. Explain

8. Enzyme pepsin is a protease that digests proteins in the stomach.

(a) Suggest the optimum pH for this enzyme.
(b) Name the liquid in the stomach with the optimum pH for this enzyme.
(c) Suggest the optimum temperature for this enzyme.
(d) Explain why the rate of an enzyme-catalysed reaction slows down as temperature
increases beyond optimum.

9. A learner set-up an experiment shown below to investigate osmosis.

(a) Draw the diagram to show the results of this experiment.

(b) Account for observation s you made in a) above.
(c) What does the visking tubing represent in a plant cell?

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10. The table below gives the steps that were followed in an experiment to test for
starch in a green freshly leaf taken from a tree.

Stages in the test for starch

I. Leaf is put into boiling water for 1 minute.

II. Leaf is dipped in alcohol warmed in hot water bath.

III. Leaf is washed in cold water.

IV. Leaf is dipped into iodine solution.

(a) State the reason for carrying out each of activities in stages I, II and III.
(b) What happens when the leaf is dipped into iodine solution?
(c) Why is alcohol warmed indirectly in a water bath?

11. The experimental set-up shown below is placed in the sun for some day.

(a) Name the gas that is being given off by the plant.
(b) During which biological process is this gas being produced?
(c) State three factors affecting biological process named in (b) above.

12. Describe the differences between xylem and phloem by filling the following table.

Xylem Phloem

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13. Explain the necessity of the following for photosynthesis:
(a) Chlorophyll.
(b) Carbon dioxide concentration.
(c) Light intensity.

14. Differentiate transpiration with translocation.

15. Briefly describe how the following plants adapted to their environmental
conditions:
(a) Xerophytes.
(b) Hydrophytes.
(c) Halophytes.
16. Explain how the following plant adaptations minimize the rate of transpiration.
(a) Sunken stomata (b) leaf folding (c) succulent leaves.

17. Differentiate between a source and sink and give examples for each.

18. Give three reasons why photosynthesis is important to animal life.

19. (a) Differentiate transpiration with translocation.

(b) Identify three environmental conditions that increase the rate of transpiration.
(c) Which instrument used to measure the rate of transpiration?

20. Describe the uses and dangers of nitrogen and other fertilizers.

21. Explain how the rate of photosynthesis is affected by:

(a) Light intensity. (b) Carbon dioxide concentration. (c) Temperature.
Draw the graph in each case.

END

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ANSWERS TO REVISION EXERCISES

1. (i) A: cuticle B: upper epidermis C: palisade cells F: stoma E: guard cell

D: vascular bundle H: spongy cells G: air spaces.
(ii) upper layers of a leaf are transparent to allow easy penetration of light.
(iii)the cuticle is made up of waxy material this reduces the loss of water through
evaporation.

2. (a) From dicotyledonous root.

(b) Xylem form X shape at the center and phloem located between the arms of the X
shape.
(c) A: Phloem: Translocation (transport of organic food from leaves to other parts of the
plant.
B: Xylem: Transport of water and mineral salts.

3. (a) A and B: increase in light intensity leads to an increase in rate of photosynthesis.

(b) B and C: the rate of photosynthesis does not continue to increase with increase in
light intensity because other factors such as temperature and carbon dioxide limit the
rate.

4. (a) Test tube B: In B there is favorable conditions (salivary amylase, neutral

medium, normal temperature of 37oc).

(b) because there are unfavorable conditions.

In A: acidic medium (amylase cannot work in acidic medium).

In C: amylase is absent, medium is alkaline.

In D: alkaline medium: amylase cannot work in alkaline medium; too higher

temperature above optimum temperature denature enzyme.

(c) Effects of pH and temperature on action of salivary amylase.

5. Differences between enzymes and other catalysts.

Catalysts
Are substances that increase or
decrease the rate of chemical reaction.
Are simple inorganic molecules
They are not specific
Enzymes
Are proteins that increase the rate of
chemical reactions converting
substrate into product
Are complex proteins
Are higher specific

6. The shape of enzyme active site is complementary only to a specific substrate which
can fit into the active site like specific key fit in hey hole in the lock.

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7.Digestion of starch by enzyme amylase begins in the mouth but stops when the food
arrives in the stomach because amylase acts best at neutral pH in the mouth; acidic
pH found in the stomach denature amylase enzyme.

8. (a) pH2 (b) HCl (hydrochloric acid). (c) 37oc

(d) High temperature above optimum denature enzyme hence the substrate cannot be
worked on.

9. (a) Result of experiment.

(b) There is higher concentration of sugar solution in the visking tubing hence water
molecules moved into it by osmosis making it swell and increase in volume.
(c) Visking tubing represent cell membrane.

10. (a) I: To stop all chemical reactions in leaf.

II: To remove all chlorophyll in the leaf.
III: To wash out ethanol on the leaf and make a leaf soft.
(b) The leaf turns to blue-black colour.
(c) Because ethanol is high flammable (catch fire easily)
(d) No blue-black colour will be seen because starch will be absent.

11. (a) Oxygen. (b) photosynthesis

(c) Light intensity, temperature, carbon dioxide concentration and water.

12. Differences between xylem and phloem.

Xylem Phloem
Transport water and mineral salts Transport organic food
Substances move in one direction Substances move in two direction
(upwards) (upwards and downwards).
Dead cells Living cells

13 (a). Chlorophyll: it is necessary for photosynthesis since it absorbs light energy

required, it convert the light energy to chemical energy.
(b) Carbon dioxide: it converted into sugar (glucose) needed by plant.
(c) Light energy: it provides the energy needed to ensure the reaction occurs.

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14. Differences between transpiration and translocation.
Transpiration Translocation
Is the process by which plant loss Is the transport of organic products of
water in form of water vapour to the photosynthesis from leaves to other
atmosphere. parts of the plant
It take place in the leaves of plants It take place mainly through the
through stomata phloem.
Is passive process Is active process

15. Refer to your S2 biology notes. Unit8

16.Plant adaptations to minimize the rate of transpiration.

a) Sunken stomata: water vapour is not moved away by the wind hence minimize the
rate of transpiration.
Water vapour tends to accumulate in these pits hence reducing the rate of
transpiration.
b) Leaf folding: Reduce surface area over which transpiration occurs.

c) Succulent leaves: Help in storage of water, succulent leaves are thick therefore large
distance of diffusion hence minimize the rate of transpiration.

17. • Source: Where food (photosynthates) is manufactured in a plant e.g. leaves.

• Sink: The points of sugar delivery/ where food is utilized or stored in a plant.
e.g. stem, root, flower and fruits.

18. Importance of photosynthesis to animal life:

• Produce food for animals.
• Reduce carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Provide oxygen.
• It is responsible for the energy stored in coal and petroleum.

19.(a) Transpiration: is the process by which plant loss water in form of water vapour.
Translocation: Transport of organic product of photosynthesis from leaves to other
parts of the plant.
(b)Temperature, wind and light.
(c) Potometer.

20. Uses of nitrogen and other fertilizers: Fertilisers add minerals in the soil hence
plants grow faster and bigger. In turns increases yields in plants.

Dangers: Cause water pollution, cause an increase of soil salinity which lead to wilting
of plant;
Increase acidity in the soil. causes eutrophication.

21. Refer to your S2 biology notes unit7 (photosynthesis)

END
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