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1. 1990/I/4a
The net carbon dioxide uptake and release from the stem and a single leaf of a herbaceous plant were
measured at different light intensities. The results are shown below :
Net uptake (+) / net release () of
carbon dioxide (mg cm
-2
h
-1
)
Light intensity (arbitrary
units)
stem leaf
0
2
4
6
8
10
1.0
+ 0.6
+ 2.2
+ 3.4
+ 4.4
+ 5.0
1.0
+ 5.6
+ 9.2
+ 11.0
+ 12.0
+ 12.6
(i) Plot the above data on the same graph. (4 marks)
(ii) Considering a leaf of 10 cm
2
at a light intensity of 5 units,
(1) state the net carbon dioxide uptake by the leaf in one hour. (1 mark)
(2) calculate the actual amount of carbon dioxide used by this leaf in photosynthesis in the same
period. (2 marks)
(iii) (1) With reference to the graph you have drawn, state which organ, the stem or the leaf, is more
efficient in carrying out photosynthesis. Explain how you arrive at your answer. (2 marks)
(2) Suggest TWO structural features which enable this organ to carry out photosynthesis more
efficiently. (2 marks)


















HKCEE BIOLOGY | 4.1 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants | P.1

48

2. 1993/I/4b
The graph below shows the net uptake and net release of carbon dioxide of an actively growing plant over a
24-hour period :

(i) At what time(s) of the day was there no net uptake and no net release of carbon dioxide by the plant ?
(1 mark)
(ii) (1) What was the respiration rate of the plant in the dark period ? (1 mark)
(2) Calculate the total amount of carbon dioxide released by the plant in the same period.
(2 marks)
(iii) Assuming that the plant had the same respiration rate throughout the 24-hour period, what was the
highest rate of photosynthesis of the plant ? (1 mark)
(iv) What information from the graph suggests that the plant was actively growing ? Explain your answer.
[Hint : Compare area A and area B.] (4 marks)

3. 1994/I/2bii
Explain why there is a net uptake of carbon dioxide by leaves during the daytime. (3 marks)






HKCEE BIOLOGY | 4.1 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants | P.2

49

4. 2004/I/4c
The photomicrographs below show the sections of a leaf and a root :

(i) What is the significance of the following features ?
(1) the presence of cuticle on the leaf epidermis (1 mark)
(2) the absence of cuticle on the root epidermis (1 mark)
(ii) With reference to one feature shown in the photomicrograph, explain how gaseous exchange can
occur at the leaf epidermis. (2 marks)
(iii) Describe how the activity of cell type X leads to the storage of starch granules in cell type Y.
(4 marks)








HKCEE BIOLOGY | 4.1 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants | P.3

50

(iv) The table below shows the concentration of certain minerals in the soil water and the cell sap of the
root epidermal cells :
Concentration (mmol dm
-3
)
Potassium Sodium Chloride
Soil water 0.1 1.1 1.3
Cell sap of root
epidermal cells
93.0 51.0 58.0
According to these data, what mechanism is probably used by the root to absorb minerals from the
soil water ? Explain your answer based on the information provided. (3 marks)

5. 2005/I/8b
The picture below shows a school garden with some tomato plants:

(i) Explain why continuous harvesting of tomatoes may lead to the depletion of nitrate in the garden soil.
(2 marks)
(ii) Which organism in the soil turns some of the nitrate into atmospheric nitrogen? (1 mark)
(iii) Suggest two ways to restore the nitrate content of the soil. (2 marks)
(iv) A student flooded the soil with water. As a result, the air content of the soil became very low.
Explain why this condition may lead to poor plant growth. (3 marks)












HKCEE BIOLOGY | 4.1 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants | P.4

51

6. 2005/I/9b
Mary examined the epidermis of the leaf of a land plant under the microscope. The photomicrographs below
show the appearance of the upper and lower epidermis under different magnifications:

(i) Using the information provided in photomicrograph 2, calculate the stomatal density (i.e. number of
stomata per unit area) of the lower epidermis. (2 marks)
(Take =3.14)
(ii) Compare the stomatal density of the upper and lower epidermis of the leaf. Explain the significance
of this pattern of stomatal distribution to the plant when it is under direct sunlight. (3 marks)
(iii) Name structures P and Q. (2 marks)
P: _____________________ Q:______________________
(iv) Under certain conditions, the stomata of the leaves may become closed during daytime. Explain how
this would affect the rate of photosynthesis of the plant. (2 marks)

HKCEE BIOLOGY | 4.1 Nutrition and gas exchange in plants | P.5