C1.

3 Photosynthesis SL [45 marks]

1. [Maximum mark: 1] 23M.1.SL.TZ2.13
Which graph represents the action spectrum for a green plant
receiving only blue light?

[1]

Markscheme

Examiners report

This question required the candidates to identify which graph represents

the action spectrum of a plant only receiving blue light. Students are
required to know the wavelengths of visible light. As green light is reflected
by a green plant there would be no photosynthesis in the central
wavelengths of the visible light spectrum leaving only one possible answer.
2. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1.SL.TZ1.12
The graph shows how the rate of photosynthesis of a green plant
varies with CO2 concentration at two different light intensities. The
temperature is kept constant at 20 °C.

What is the limiting factor at X?

A. Chlorophyll

B. Light intensity

C. Temperature

D. CO2 concentration [1]

Markscheme

B
3. [Maximum mark: 1] 22M.1.SL.TZ2.12
The apparatus shown was used to investigate the effect of varying
carbon dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis. Carbon
dioxide concentrations were varied by adding different amounts of
sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO3) to water.

What is the dependent variable in this investigation?

A. Temperature

B. Light intensity

C. Amount of NaHCO3 added

D. Volume of oxygen produced [1]

Markscheme

D
4. [Maximum mark: 1] 21N.1.SL.TZ0.8
What prevents plants from converting carbon dioxide into glucose in
the dark?

A. They do not have a source of energy.

B. It is too cold.

C. They do not require glucose during the night.

D. Their enzymes are inhibited. [1]

Markscheme

5. [Maximum mark: 1] 21M.1.SL.TZ1.16

If a plant is exposed to light, which colour of light would lead to the
lowest rate of oxygen release by a green plant?

A. Blue

B. Red

C. Green

D. White [1]

Markscheme

C
6. [Maximum mark: 1] 21M.1.SL.TZ2.12
What does the Rf value in thin layer chromatography represent?

A. The distance travelled by the pigment front in a fixed time period

B. The distance from the origin to the solvent front at the end of the
experiment

C. The ratio of distances travelled by the pigment and solvent fronts

D. The concentration of the pigment applied to the chromatography

plate [1]

Markscheme

Examiners report

It is appreciated that the candidates may not have had the opportunity to
carry out the required practical work on photosynthesis and
chromatography. It is assumed that the basic principles of chromatography
and calculation of Rf values were taught in theory class.
7. [Maximum mark: 1] 20N.1.SL.TZ0.12
Plants produce carbon dioxide in respiration and use carbon dioxide in
photosynthesis. The graph shows the volume of carbon dioxide
exchanged in a plant at different light intensities.

What is shown by the graph?

A. There is no photosynthesis between W and X.

B. There is no photosynthesis between Y and Z.

C. There is more respiration than photosynthesis between Y and Z.

D. There is more respiration than photosynthesis between W and X. [1]

Markscheme

D
8. [Maximum mark: 1] 19M.1.SL.TZ2.11
The graph shows the absorption spectra of chlorophyll a and
chlorophyll b.

[Source: adapted from F. P. Zscheile and C. L. Comar, 'Influence of

Preparative Procedure on the Purity of Chlorophyll
Components as Shown by Absorption Spectra.' Int. J. Plant Sciences, Volume
102, Number 3, Mar., 1941, pp. 463–481.
Used with the kind permission of University of Chicago Press.]

What can be concluded from the graph?

A. Both chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b absorb a large amount of

green light

B. Chlorophyll b absorbs red light more efficiently than blue light

C. Other pigments must absorb light between blue and red in the
spectrum

D. Chlorophyll a and chlorophyll b have different absorption peaks [1]

Markscheme

Examiners report

This question discriminated very well, as most candidates realized that

chlorophylls a and b have different absorption peaks. Some candidates
confused the wavelengths for red and blue light therefore choosing B.
9. [Maximum mark: 1] 18N.1.SL.TZ0.11
The graph shows the relationship between rate of photosynthesis and
light intensity as influenced by both temperature and CO2
concentration.

What conclusion can be drawn from the data in the graph?

A. CO2 is always the limiting factor at low light intensities and

temperatures.

B. Light intensity is only the limiting factor at high light intensities.

C. Temperature is only the limiting factor at high light intensities and

CO2 concentrations.

D. Both temperature and light intensity are limiting factors at 660 ppm
CO2 and less than 200 W m–2 light intensity. [1]

Markscheme

C
10. [Maximum mark: 7] 21M.2.SL.TZ1.2
The diagram shows some of the metabolic processes taking place in a plant cell.

(a.i) Identify the process Y and state the name of the organelle
where it takes place in a plant cell.

Process Y:

Name of the organelle: [1]

Markscheme

process Y: photosynthesis ✔

organelle: chloroplast ✔

Both needed.
 Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

This was generally answered correctly.

(a.ii) Identify the molecule Z. [1]

Markscheme

glycerol /glycerin ✔

Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

This was generally missed.

(b) State the type of reaction which converts excess

monosaccharides to polysaccharides. [1]

Markscheme

condensation/dehydration/synthesis/anabolic/anabolism ✔

Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

This was often answered correctly.

(c) The process X uses oxygen and produces ATP. Identify the
process X. [1]

Markscheme

aerobic respiration ✔

Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

Although many answered cell respiration, aerobic respiration was expected

since the question defined aerobic respiration.

(d) Outline the uses of ATP in plant cells. [2]

Markscheme

a. used as an energy source ✔

b. supplies/releases energy for biochemical reactions ✔

c. photosynthesis/active transport/other verifiable example of reaction or

process ✔

Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

Expressing the nature of ATP in an outline of its use to plants was

problematic for many students. Rather than a source of energy it was
thought to be energy itself. Many processes use ATP in one part of the
pathway or another, so a wide variety of seemingly contradictory answers
 received credit. For example, ATP is used in cell respiration during
glycolysis. Credit was given for glycolysis as well as for respiration.

(e) With reference to the diagram, identify one example of

catabolism. [1]

Markscheme

a. (letter X) breakdown of monosaccharides/respiration ✔

b. (letter Y) hydrolysis/photolysis in photosynthesis/oxidation of water ✔

Answer must come from the diagram.

Examiners report

The diagram was generally confusing to candidates.

Too often candidates did not make reference to the diagram when giving
an example of catabolism. Some thought that ADP changing to ATP was
catabolism. This probably comes from a failure to understand paired
reactions.
11. [Maximum mark: 15] 17N.2.SL.TZ0.07
Plants have widespread influences, from food chains to climate change.

(a) Draw a diagram of a palisade mesophyll cell labelling only the

structures that would not be present in a pancreatic cell.

[3]

Markscheme

a. cell wall

Must be shown as a double line

b. large vacuole

Labelled either inside or on the membrane

c. chloroplast/plastid

d. starch grain

e. tonoplast

Allow [2 max] if any features common to both plant cells and animal cells are labelled
 [Max 3 Marks]

(b) Explain the process of photosynthesis. [8]

Markscheme

a. autotrophs perform photosynthesis

b. carbon dioxide and water are the reactants/raw materials required for
«photosynthesis»

c. light splits water molecules/causes photolysis

d. «photolysis» releases oxygen as a «waste» product

e. light energy is converted into chemical energy

f. «photosynthesis» produces organic compounds/glucose/carbohydrates

g. photosynthesis occurs in chloroplasts

h. chlorophyll «photosynthetic pigment» absorbs light

i. different pigments absorb different wavelengths «of light»

j. chlorophyll absorbs red and blue light/ends of the spectrum

k. carbon dioxide concentration/temperature/light intensity are limiting

factors

Award only [1] for correct display of equation unless further annotated or explained

Allow up to [2] for correct use of understandings specified as AHL topic 8

[Max 8 Marks]
(c) Describe the process of peat formation. [4]

Markscheme

a. formed from dead plant material/leaves/mosses/Sphagnum

b. formed in waterlogged sites/bogs/mires/swamps

c. where bacteria/fungi/saprotrophs are not active/are inhibited

d. organic matter not fully decomposed

e. «occurs» in acidic conditions

f. «occurs» in anaerobic conditions

Reject anaerobic respiration

g. «very» slow process/takes a long time

[Max 4 Marks]
12. [Maximum mark: 6] 20N.3.SL.TZ0.3
To investigate whether carbon dioxide is required for photosynthesis, a plant
was irrigated using water from which carbon dioxide had been removed and
was then placed in the apparatus shown in the diagram. The apparatus was left
in darkness for 24 hours to destarch the leaves. Then, after several hours in light,
a leaf was removed from the plant and found to contain no starch when tested.
A control was performed using a second plant. A leaf from this plant tested
positive for starch.

[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.]

(a) Describe the control for this experiment. [2]

Markscheme

a. same apparatus with carbon dioxide present;

b. (control has) no sodium hydroxide/alkali;

c. control irrigated with untreated water/water with CO2;

“Same apparatus” alone does not get the mark.

 Examiners report

Many candidates had difficulty describing the control for this experiment.
The question states that the experiment was to investigate whether carbon
dioxide is required for photosynthesis therefore it seems straightforward
that the plant would be in similar conditions with and without carbon
dioxide. Some candidates assumed that the control plant would have
similar conditions and no light.

(b) Outline how the carbon dioxide could be removed from the
water used to irrigate the plant. [1]

Markscheme

a. boiling (and cooling) the water;

b. expose the water to a vacuum;

Allow distillation of water.

Examiners report

There were many suggestions on how carbon dioxide could be removed

from water despite boiling the water being an assessment statement.

(c) Suggest how a plastic bag placed around the plant pot
prevents carbon dioxide from reaching the plant’s leaves. [1]

Markscheme

a. to prevent CO2 from (organisms in) the soil affecting the experiment;

b. the plastic bag is impermeable to gases;

 Examiners report

The plastic bag caused considerable confusion with many candidates

stating that it was to prevent carbon dioxide reaching the roots and being
taken up the stem to the leaves for photosynthesis.

(d) A chromatograph was made of the photosynthetic pigments of

a leaf of the plant.

[Source: Adapted from “Diversity of Photosynthetic Pigments”

by Alexander F. Motten in Tested Studies for
Laboratory Teaching, Volume 16 of the Association for Biology
Laboratory Education and used by permission of the
author.]
 Outline what measurements would be taken to identify [2]
pigment X.

Markscheme

a. the distance travelled from the origin/O to the solvent front;

b. the distance travelled by the pigment (from the origin O to X);

Accept X to solvent front if the candidate indicates that this allows O to X to be calculated.

Examiners report

Most candidates managed to outline what measurements would be taken

to identify the pigment on the chromatogram with many identifying the
pigment although this was not required.
13. [Maximum mark: 8] 18N.3.SL.TZ0.1
A variegated Pelargonium plant was grown outdoors in a plant pot. Figure 1 shows
one leaf of the Pelargonium. The plant was left in the dark for 24 hours to inhibit
photosynthesis. After this time, a sketch was made of the leaf to show the colours
(Figure 2), then part of the leaf was covered with black card (Figure 3). Following
the exposure of the plant to sunlight for six hours, the black card was removed
and the leaf tested for starch (Figure 4).

(a) Outline a reason for inhibiting photosynthesis for 24 hours. [1]

Markscheme

to remove any starch already in the leaf

OR
so any starch found in the leaf was made during the experiment
OR
to prevent further production of starch ✔
(b.i) Identify which two areas, W, X, Y or Z, in Figure 4 show that light
is required for photosynthesis. [1]

Markscheme

X AND Y ✔

Both needed

(b.ii) Identify which two areas, W, X, Y or Z, in Figure 4 show that

chlorophyll is required for photosynthesis. [1]

Markscheme

W AND X ✔

Both needed

(b.iii) Discuss briefly whether the detection of starch in this

experiment was proof that photosynthesis had occurred in the
leaf. [2]

Markscheme

pro (yes it could be evidence):

a. starch is a product of photosynthesis ✔

con (not necessarily evidence):

b. starch could be made elsewhere «in the plant» and transported to/stored
in leaves
OR
starch could be made by another process «other than photosynthesis»
 OR
starch is being detected although glucose is the direct product ✔

OWTTE

limitations of experiment:

c. starch depletion may take more than 24 hours «of dark»

OR
starch production may take more than 6 hours «of light»
OR
starch should have been measured before and after ✔

(c.i) Using the axes, sketch the action spectrum for photosynthesis in
the green area of the leaf in Figure 1.

[1]

Markscheme

sketch showing 2 peaks at either end of the spectrum ✔

(c.ii) Predict how the action spectrum from the white areas of the
leaf would differ from the green areas. [1]

Markscheme

it would be a straight line/have no peaks

OR
no photosynthesis ✔

Accept a labelled horizontal line in the bottom third of the y-axis.

Do not accept “lower line” or “lower photosynthesis”

(d) Suggest reasons that plants with variegated leaves are rarely
found growing wild naturally. [1]

Markscheme
«having the leaf partly white would be» no selective advantage/cannot
compete
OR
natural selection would reduce the frequency of the mutation causing
variegated leaves
OR
occur due to artificial selection ✔

Some reference to evolution or natural selection required

Do not accept reference to photosynthesis alone

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