Academic 2019-2020

9 IGCSE Biology
Chapter 10: Plants and Food Questions

1. Diagram A below shows the cross-section of a leaf as seen under a microscope.

Diagram A

(a) Name the structures labelled P, Q, R and S.

P..........................................................................................................................
Q..........................................................................................................................
R..........................................................................................................................
S..........................................................................................................................

(b) In which region (P, Q, R or S) is most photosynthesis carried out? Explain

your answer.
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(c) State the function of the xylem and the phloem.

Xylem.................................................................................................................
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Phloem................................................................................................................
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 (d) Each of the sections shown in Diagram B below has been cut parallel to the
leaf surface. These sections are at a higher magnification than in Diagram A
and show more detail.

Match the sections, numbered 1 to 4 (in Diagram B) with the correct region as labelled on
Diagram A.

Letter of region in Diagram A Section number in Diagram B

P
Q
R
S

2. (a) Give the balanced chemical equation for photosynthesis.

(b) A biology teacher wanted to show that light is required for photosynthesis. She set up the
following experiment for her class.

She took a potted plant in good condition and placed it in a dark cupboard for two days. She
then covered part of a large leaf with black paper. This had a diamond pattern cut in it as shown
in the diagram below.

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She left the plant by a window in the light for four hours. She then tested the leaf for starch to
see if photosynthesis had taken place.

(i) Explain why she placed the plant in the dark room.

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(ii) Describe how she would carry out starch test on the leaf.

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(iii) Complete the diagram below to show its appearance after the teacher had carried out the
starch test on it. Add labels to show the colours that she would see.

3. An investigation was carried out to find the effect of temperature on the rate of
photosynthesis.
The experiment was carried out using the apparatus shown below.
Five identical apparatuses were set up and placed at five different temperatures, 100C,
20 0C, 30 0C, 40 0C and 50 0C.

(a) Name the gas given off by the pondweed (cut stem).

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(b) Explain why it was important to keep the distance of the lamp from the pondweed
constant at all the temperatures.

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(c) The bubbles produced in one minute were counted and recorded at each temperature.
However, this method is not an accurate way of measuring the rate of photosynthesis.
(i) Give one reason why this method is not accurate.

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(ii) Suggest a more accurate method of measuring the rate of photosynthesis in this
investigation.

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(d) Suggest how this experiment could be made more reliable.

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(e) Suggest two factors, other than light intensity, that need to be kept constant during this
experiment.

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(f) What is the purpose of using the paper clip?

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4. An experiment was set up with 5 plants of the same species and same age in 5 different
culture solutions. Air was bubbled through each solution, and each jar was covered with
black paper. The results are shown below.

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(a) Explain why air was bubbled through the solutions.

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(b) State the importance of covering the jars with black paper?

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(c) Name two factors that need to be kept constant in this experiment.

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(d) Name the mineral that is deficient in each jar.

Jar A:…………………………………… Jar B:…………………………………………

Jar C:……………………………………… Jar D:…………………………………………

(e) Explain why the leaves turned yellow in jar B.

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5. An investigation was carried out to see the effect of light on gas exchange by a leaf. Three
leaves of the same size were taken from a plant and placed in three different test tubes
containing equal volumes of hydrogen carbonate indicator solution. The leaves were attached
with strings to the bung of each test tube. One tube was placed in bright light, one in the
dark by covering the tube with foil and one was covered with translucent material to
restrict light. A fourth tube was prepared without a leaf, but same volume of hydrogen
carbonate indicator solution as the other tubes.

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All four tubes were placed under bright light for 4 hours.

The table below shows the expected colour of indicator solution at different CO2
concentrations.
Condition Indicator colour
High concentration of carbon dioxide Yellow
Low concentration of carbon dioxide Purple
Concentration of carbon dioxide in normal air Orange

(a) Complete the table below using the information in the table above.

Tube Colour of the indicator solution after 4

hours in bright light
Tube A
Tube B
Tube C
Tube D

(b) Explain the result for tube A.

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(c) Explain the result for tube C.
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(d) Name the process taking place in tube B.

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(e) Explain the importance of the tube with no leaf.

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(f) Define the term limiting factor.

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