Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Testing for biological molecules

Testing for biological molecules — practice question

Fig. 1.1 shows a drawing based on a photomicrograph of a spongy mesophyll cell taken from a leaf.
(a)[3]

For each of the three named cell structures, add a label line on Fig. 1.1 and place the correct letter beside it. • nucleolus = N • tonoplast = T • chloroplast = C

(b)[2]

The drawing in Fig. 1.1 is 2000 times larger than the actual size of the cell. Describe the procedure you would use to work out the cell’s actual diameter in micrometres ($\mu\text{m}$), at $X$-$Y$.

(c)[2]

Fig. 1.1 was produced using the high power objective lens of a light microscope. Several structures visible in Fig. 1.1 show that the cell is eukaryotic. If the same cell were viewed with an electron micrograph, more cell structures would be seen that occur in eukaryotes but not in prokaryotes. List two examples of these extra cell structures.

(d(i))[2]

State, with reference to water movement from the xylem to the spongy mesophyll cells in the leaf, what the apoplastic pathway means.

(d(ii))[4]

Outline which properties of water help it move apoplastically to the spongy mesophyll cells and also into the intercellular air spaces.

(d(iii))[2]

Describe the fate of the water vapour in the intercellular air spaces during the day, and explain the reason for this.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 15-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Award one mark for every correctly labelled structure on Fig. 1.1; accept the tonoplast line at any point on the vacuolar membrane. Do not credit responses where one label refers to two or more different structures.

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