Chlorophyll is present in every organism that carries out photosynthesis. Fig. 4.1 shows mistletoe growing on a tree branch. Most plants contain about 1 mg of chlorophyll in 100 g of their leaves. Mistletoe, however, contains about 0.4 mg of chlorophyll in 100 g of its leaves. Birds attach mistletoe seeds to tree branches. When the seeds germinate, they form special roots that grow into the phloem of the tree branch.
(a)[5]
Complete these sentences about chlorophyll by writing suitable words in the gaps: A chlorophyll molecule contains carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and an atom of [BLANK]. Chlorophyll molecules are found in plant cells in structures called [BLANK]. The leaf cells that contain the most chlorophyll are the [BLANK] cells. Chlorophyll molecules absorb energy from sunlight and this is used by plants to make glucose. Glucose can then be converted to [BLANK] so that it can be transported around the plant. Glucose can also be converted to [BLANK] to form cell walls.
(b)[4]
Suggest why mistletoe produces these special roots.
Worked solution & mark scheme
This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: “the element magnesium” …