Photomicrograph Power-up Exercise

Class: Name: ( ) Marks: /10

Leaves of different types of plants

Coverage:
Ch 9 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants
Ch 10 Transpiration, transport and support in plants
Ch 20 Photosynthesis ()

The photomicrographs below show the cross sections of the leaves of three different plants.

Photomicrograph I

(×400)

Photomicrograph II

(×400)

Photomicrograph III
X

(×400)

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Level 1

a With reference to one observable feature of the leaf in photomicrograph I, identity whether
the leaf is taken from a floating plant or a submerged plant. Explain your answer. (3 marks)

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 Gas exchange in leaves of aquatic plants Ch 9 p. 11

Level 2

b The leaves from photomicrographs II and III are taken from a boxwood plant and a corn
plant respectively. The two plants are shown in the photographs below.

boxwood plant corn plant

i With reference to the orientation of the leaves shown in the photographs, explain how
the distribution of the photosynthetic tissue in these leaves helps increase the rate of
photosynthesis in the leaves. (4 marks)

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 Photosynthesis Ch 20 p. 15

ii Name structure X in photomicrograph III. (1 mark)

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 Structure of leaf Ch 9 p. 8

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 iii Explain why structure X is mainly located in the lower epidermis of the leaves of
boxwood plants. (2 marks)

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 Transpiration Ch 10 p. 6

Related DSE questions

Bio 2018 IB Q3

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 Answers
a The leaf is taken from a floating plant. 1m
A floating plant has stomata only in the upper epidermis of the leaves while a submerged plant does not have
stomata in the epidermis on both sides of the leaves. 1m
Since stomata are found in the upper epidermis of the leaf in the photomicrograph, the leaf is taken from a
floating plant. 1m
b i The leaves of boxwood plants are oriented horizontally. Their upper side is facing the sun. 1m
The palisade mesophyll, which consists of tightly packed cells containing many chloroplasts, is located
on the upper side of the leaves. This allows effective absorption of sunlight for photosynthesis. 1m
The leaves of corn plants are oriented vertically. Both sides of the leaves receive similar sunlight. 1 m
The photosynthetic tissues are evenly distributed on both sides of the leaves. This allows them to get
sunlight for photosynthesis effectively regardless of the change in the orientation of the sun. 1m
ii Stomata 1m
iii The upper epidermis of boxwood leaves is directly illuminated by the sun and they are hotter than the
lower epidermis. 1m
Having fewer stomata on it helps reduce water loss by evaporation. 1m
(Total: 10 m)

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