57
Reproduction in plants
CORE questions
Core 1
A plant was allowed to disperse its seeds naturally. The seedlings were examined two weeks
after they had started to grow. They were found to be of very different heights.
(i) Suggest three environmental factors which could have affected the height of the
seedlings.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................
3. .......... ............................................................................................................. [3]
(ii) The seedlings all developed from the seeds of a single plant. The plants which later
developed from these seedlings showed a number of inherited differences. Suggest
three possible reasons for these inherited differences.
1. ...........................................................................................................................
2. ...........................................................................................................................
3. ...........................................................................................................................
[3]
[Total : 11]
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Core 2
Fig 1 shows a section through a bean flower.
Fig.1
(a) Name the parts labelled A and B.
A ..................................................
B .................................................. [2]
(b) This flower is insect pollinated. Suggest how parts C, D and E help in pollination of
this flower.
[3]
(c) After pollination the ovules develop into seeds. Describe the events which occur after
pollination and which result in the formation of seeds.
[4]
[Total : 9]
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EXTENSION questions
Extension 1
Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section through a root tip showing the regions of growth and
development.
Fig. 2
(a) Distinguish between the terms growth and development.
[3]
(b) Outline what happens in the region of cell division.
[3]
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Extension 1
The enlarging cells get bigger by absorbing water.
(c) (i) Name the process responsible for this absorption of water.
[1]
(ii) What condition must exist in a cell for water absorption to occur?
[1]
(iii) Which cell feature prevents the enlarging cells from bursting?
[1]
(iv) Suggest how the enlargement of these cells makes the root grow longer.
.......... [2]
In the region of cell differentiation, a number of different tissues are formed.
(d) (i) Define the term tissue.
.......... [2]
(ii) Table 1 contains some information about root tissues and their functions.
Complete the table.
Table 1
name of tissue function
xylem
transport of sugars
absorption of water from the soil
[3]
[Total: 16]
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Extension 2
(a) Define the term pollination. [2]
(b) Describe the structure of a named insect-pollinated flower and state the functions of
its parts. [10]
(c) Describe how cross-pollination leads to variation in a species. [3]
[Total:15]
Extension 3
(a) Discuss, giving examples, how the use of modem technology has resulted in
increased food production. [9]
(b) How is plant growth affected by a deficiency of magnesium ions? [3]
(c) How can minerals, trapped in the bodies of dead animals, become available for plant
use? [3]
[Total:14]
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Reproduction in plants – answers
Core 1
(i) any three of these
amount / brightness of sunlight / light
water availability
mineral supply
rooting space
other soil factors e.g. pH
disease infections / damage by herbivores / animals
affected by competitor species
(ii) any three of these
meiosis leading to variations in ovules / female gametes / nuclei
meiosis leading to variation on pollen grains / male gametes / nuclei
second / male parent may be different for different seeds / fertilisation of
ovules from different pollen grains
possibility of mutations / specific mutagen action
correct reference to different genotypes of parents / heterozygous state for
some genes
Core 2
a A ovule / ovary
B sepal / calyx
b C (petals are) coloured / bright / shaped / produce nectar / have nectar guides to
attract insects
D (stigma / style) receives pollen from pollinator / insect
E (anther / stamen) produces pollen / place pollen on insect
c fusion of gametes / nuclei / fertilisation
plus any three of these
pollen tube grows / develops / forms
through / down style / to ovary
to micropyle / ovule / embryo sac
male gamete passes through pollen tube / moves to female
gamete/nucleus
zygote develops into embryo
reference to female gamete as egg cell, ovum
Extension 1
a growth at least one from
increase in size or number of cells or dry mass / getting larger
irreversible / permanent
due to cell division
development at least one from
increase in complexity
formation of different cells / tissues / organs / additions of new features
b three references from
mitosis
chromosomes
division of nucleus
formation of new cells / daughter cells
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being identical / of same genetic composition
c(i) osmosis / diffusion
(ii) higher concentration of solutes than outside the cell / lower water potential in cell
(iii) cell wall
(iv) two points from
cell swells up / becomes turgid / gets longer / elongates
press against each other
results in increase in overall length of root / whole root gets longer
downward growth as a result of upper part of root being anchored
cells elongate vertically
d(i) group of cells of the same type
carrying out the same function
(ii) name of tissue function
(xylem) transport of water or minerals / support
phloem / sieve tubes (transport of sugars)
root hair (cells) (absorption of water from soil)
Extension 2
a transfer of pollen
from anther / stamen to stigma
b ten marks from the following
named insect-pollinated flower
sepals, description of position or shape or appearance
reference to protection of flower while in bud
petals, description of position or shape or appearance
attracting insects / acting as landing stage / guides present to direct
insects to nectar
stamen = anther + filament
anther, description of position or shape or appearance
pollen
filament, description of position or shape or appearance
supports anther
carpel = stigma + style + ovary
stigma, description of position or shape or appearance
receives pollen
style, description of position or shape or appearance
supports stigma for pollination / acts as a pathway for pollen tube
ovary, descriptions of position or shape or appearance
contains ovules / reference to site of fertilisation / becomes the fruit
nectary position / reference to scent
produces nectar
flower stem supports flower
for greater visibility to insects
receptacle acts as base for other flower parts
ovule and position
forms seeds
c reference to mixing of genetic material
can result in different genotypes
so phenotypes / offspring appearance can be different
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Extension 3
a any nine from these
chemical or artificial fertilisers provide more of named mineral or
element
results in greater crop yield (linked to above)
pesticides / fungicides reduces crop damage by insects or fungi / farm
animal infestation
herbicides reduce competition between crop and weeds for named
requirements (e.g. light / minerals / water)
reference to use of machinery
larger areas of land to be cultivated / saves time
reference to artificial selection of crop types
results in greater yield / ability to grow crops on harsh climates
reference to genetic engineering / cloning
one example of use
reference to use of bacteria to make yoghurt
reference to use of yeast in bread-making
reference to use of single cell protein to make meat substitutes
reference to controlled conditions in greenhouse
reference to improved weather forecasting and application
use of satellites to observe crop disease / need for fertiliser
use of computerisation and application
reference to intensive animal farming / fish farming
use of animal food concentrates / balanced feeding
use of antibiotics / hormones / other drugs for animal rearing / plant
growing or fruit production
reference to biological control of pests
b any three of these
needed for production of chlorophyll
needed to trap sunlight
reference to photosynthesis
no sugars produced
so protein synthesis not possible
reference to chlorosis / yellowing of leaves / pale leaves
c reference to decomposition / rotting
by fungi / bacteria / saprophytes / named decomposers
releases minerals into the soil
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