New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology (Third Edition)

Suggested answers to Self test

Chapter 9 (p. 9-28)

Section A (1 mark each)

1 B 2 A

Section B
3 a In the leaf, the spongy mesophyll cells are loosely packed. In the lung, there are many
air sacs. 1
This provides more air spaces for gas diffusion and more surface area for exchange of
gases. 1
The leaf is thin. The wall of air sacs in the lung is only one-cell thick. 1
This offers a short diffusion distance for gas exchange. 1
b In the daytime, the rate of photosynthesis is higher than that of respiration. 1
More carbon dioxide is taken in for photosynthesis than is released in respiration.
Therefore, the carbon dioxide content in the air spaces is lower. /
More oxygen is released in photosynthesis than is taken in for respiration. Therefore,
the oxygen content in the air spaces is higher. 1
At night, photosynthesis stops. The plant carries out respiration only. Oxygen is taken
in and carbon dioxide is released in respiration. Therefore, the carbon dioxide content
in the air spaces is higher. 1
c There are capillaries surrounding the air sacs. This allows rapid transport of gases to
and away from the air sacs. Therefore, a steep concentration gradient of gases
between the air sacs and the blood can be maintained for efficient diffusion of gases.
There is no similar feature in the leaf. 1

 Oxford University Press 2020

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