Autotroph Structure and Function

Discuss the structure of vascular and non-vascular plants

1. Distinguish between vascular and non-vascular plants.

o Answer

Vascular plants

Possess vascular tissue, which is specialised for transporting fluids (Not found
in leaves or roots)

 Xylem
 Phloem

Non-vascular plants

Non-vascular plants do not possess this system

2. Identify the two plant tissues.

o Answer

Xylem and phloem

3. Identify the two organs present in plants.

o Answer

Roots and leaves

4. Distinguish between xylem tissue and phloem tissue.

o Answer

Xylem

Transports water and inorganic nutrients (mineral ions) absorbed from the soil
up the plant

Phloem

Transports dissolved sugars produced by photosynthesis from the leaves

throughout the plant, and organic substances

5. Identify the three systems present in most plants.

o Answer

Vascular, root and shoot systems

Discuss the main functions of the leaves.

1. What is the cross-section of a leaf.

 o Answer

2. Identify the main functions of a leaf.

o Answer

Absorb sunlight and carbon dioxide, and produce glucose from photosynthesis

Exchange gases with the air

3. Describe the features of most leaves that allow them to absorb the maximum amount
of sunlight for photosynthesis.
o Answer

Thin and flat structure maximises their surface area allowing the optimum
absorption of light energy by chlorophyll

Thin shape enables internal cells to receive adequate light energy

4. Outline the function of the epidermal tissue.

o Answer

Protects inner tissue and prevents evaporation of water by secreting a waxy

cuticle

5. Outline the function of palisade and spongy mesophyll cells

o Answer

Photosynthesis (but spongy not as much as palisade mesophyll cells)

6. Describe the distribution of vascular tissue in the leaf and how this assists the leaf to
carry out its functions.
o Answer

Enables the leaf to carry out its functions

Distributed throughout like veins

Ensures cells receive the required nutrients and have a system to get rid of
waste

7. Discuss how the products of photosynthesis and respiration can be reused by the
plant.
o Answer

Oxygen (from photosynthesis) can be reused by the plant as an input of

cellular respiration
 Carbon dioxide (from cellular respiration) can be reused by the plant as an
input of photosynthesis

Explain how imaging technologies are useful

1. Describe how radioactive tracers can be used to trace the path of elements through
living plants.
o Answer

Radioisotopes

 Carbon-14 can be used to trace the movement of glucose after it has

been produced by photosynthesis by adding it to the carbon dioxide
supply of a plant
 Radiation emitted by the carbon-14 in the glucose can be traced so that
the glucose can be traced
 Photographic film is used to see where it had moved (dark areas)

Radioisotopes produce gamma radiation that could cause cancers or mutations

in living organisms