Transport in Flowering Plants

1990 Paper 2 Question 3

3. (a) List FOUR environmental factors that affect the transpiration rate in vascular
plants. For each factor, briefly explain how it influences the rate. (6 marks)

(b) How do xerophytes reduce the rate of water loss by transpiration ? (4 marks)

(c) Explain how transpiration influences the rate of water movement through a
vascular plant.
(4 marks)

(d) Describe ONE experiment which suggests that the phloem is the main pathway for
translocation of dissolved organic substances in vascular plants. (6 marks)

Ans

1992 Paper 2 Question 2

2. (a) For each of the following, explain how its structure is related to its function(s):

(i) a sieve tube

(ii) a guard cell
(iii) a xylem vessel
(iv) a root hair cell (8 marks)

(b) Describe the possible pathways for the passage of water from the surface of the
root hair to the xylem and outline the mechanisms involved. Explain the critical role
of the Casparian strip in this process. (12 marks)

Ans

1995 Paper Question 6

6. Identify the cells R, S, T and U in the following photomicrograph. From this
photomicrograph, make a drawing of cell R and annotate two of its features to
show their significance in transport. Suggest a mechanism of transport in each of
R and U.
(6 marks)

Ans

1996 Paper 2 Question 2

2. (a) Explain how the structural features of a dicot leaf make it an efficient organ for
 photosynthesis.
(8 marks)

(b) Illustrate the Calvin cycle (carbon fixation) using a flow diagram and state which
intermediate is used for the synthesis of carbohydrates. Name one product of this
synthesis. (6 marks)

(c) Describe how the photosynthetic products are translocated along the phloem from
a leaf to a storage organ according to the mass flow hypothesis. (6 marks)

Ans

1997 Paper 2 Question 6

6. Describe the mechanisms that bring about the movement of water in the transport
systems of flowering plants and mammals. State two essential differences regarding the
nature of control which affects water movement in flowering plants and mammals. (20
marks)

Ans
Solution

1990 Paper 2 Question 3 Solution

3. (a) Air movement 1)

In still air there is a boundary layer of saturated air over the leaf surface
which reduces transpiration. Air movements reduce the thickness of this
boundary layer and so increase transpiration.

Relative humidity of the atmosphere 1)

The lower the relative humidity the greater the water potential gradient
between the saturated air inside the leaf and the air outside, and thus
the higher the transpiration rate.

Light intensity 1)
The stomata of most plants open in the light and close in the dark. The
transpiration rate is much higher when the stomata are open because
the cuticle acts as a barrier to the diffusion of water vapour.

Air temperature 1)
A rise in temperature increases the water potential of the air inside the
leaf because increased evaporation from the cell walls keeps the air
saturated. In contrast, a rise in temperature will have little effect on the
water potential of the external atmosphere. Thus a rise in temperature
increases the water potential gradient between the leaf and the
surrounding air and hence increases the rate of transpiration.

Soil water 1)
A reduction in the availability of water to the plant means that the
mesophyll cells will not be fully turgid and the cell walls not completely
wet. Transpiration will thus be reduced.
any 4
(6)
 (b) reduced density of stomata on leaf surfaces
a thick cuticle and / or wax layer - which reduces the rate of water
loss when the stomata are closed
stomata sunken in pits below the leaf surface so that the air
outside the-stomata is more saturated than the surrounding
atmosphere (or so that the thickness of the boundary layer is
increased)
hairs on the leaf surface - increasing the thickness of the boundary
layer
leaf rolling with the stomata inside increases the humidity of the
atmosphere outside the stomata
reduction in the surface area / volume ratio of the plant - reduces
water loss per unit volume of the plant
C4 or CAM photosynthesis - increases water use efficiency /
opening of stomata at night time
(4)

(c) Water lost by transpiration is replaced by evaporation from the

mesophyll cell walls. water is in turn drawn from the protoplasts of the
mesophyll cells. The lowered water potential of the mesophyll cells
results in water being drawn from the xylem of the leaf veins which is in
turn drawn from the xylem elements in the stem. The cohesion of the
water molecules ensures that wate is pulled up the stem as long as
transpiration is continued.
(4)

(d) Ringing experiments 6)

Cylinders of bark, which include the secondary phloem, are removed from
woody stems and the contents of the phloem above and below the ring are
analysed. When the ring is between a source and a sink for carbohydrates
(e.g. between the leaves and the roots), sucrose accumulates in the phloem
on the source side of the ring only.

Aphid stylets (mouthparts), which penetrate the phloem elements are used to
sample the contents of the phloem. The composition of the phloem sap varies
with the photosynthetic activity of the plant. 6)

Photosynthetically active green leaves are supplied with carbon dioxide

labelled with the radioisotope 14
C. The labelled products of photosynthesis
 spread through the plant in the phloem. 6)
any 1
(6)

1992 Paper 2 Question 2 Solution

2. (a) (i) Sieve tube :

tube shape : transport of nutrients 1)
sieve plates : concerned with cell to cell activity of transport 1)
cytoplasmic strands : active movement of nutrients / particles 1)
any 2
plasmodesmata link with companion cells :
allow energy supply, protein synthesis, potential for activity 1)
(2)
(ii) guard cell :
sausage shape : allow change of turgidity to cause bending 1)
thick inner wall : differential bending in / outside 1)
substomatal space available : free gaseous diffusion 1)
any 2
presence of chloroplasts : photosynthetic product connected
with shape change and controlled by light and dark reactions 1)
(2)

(iii) xylem vessel :

thick, lignified wall : withstand pressure changes
caused by changes in transpiration stream / for support 1)
pits : allow inter-communication between cells / vessels
for free passage of water / prevent air lock in transpiration stream 1)
hex / octagonal shape : close packing for strength 1)
any 2
no / few end plates : free flow of water not mediated
by active processes as sieve tube 1)
(2)

(iv) Root hair cell :

long extension, the root hair increases surface area :
free contact with soil water and ions 1)
thin / fine structure : penetrates soil particles for soil water contact 1)
large vacuole : give osmotic control 1)
 thin / unthickened cell wall : for absorption of water and mineral salts 1)
any 2
absence of cuticle for absorption of water and mineral salts 1)
abundance of mitochondria :
for absorption of mineral salts by active transport 1)

(2)
(b) Water is drawn across the cellulose cell wall and the selectively /
differentially permeable protoplasm by osmosis into the vacuole of the
root hair because solute concentration in vacuole exceeds that of soil
water.
2
Water than passes from root hair to parenchyma cells by the following
mechanisms :
1
(i) water is drawn from one vacuole to the next by osmosis
1
(ii) water flows through the cytoplasm, diffusing from cell via
plasmodesma strands
1
(iii) water diffuses through the cellulose of adjacent cells and through
the small intercellular spaces
1

Low water potential developed in xylem vessels as a result of

transpiration results in water being drawn into the vascular tissues.
1
Continual removal of water from innermost parenchyma cells into
vascular tissues provides necessary osmotic gradient for (i) and also
diffusion gradient necessary for (ii) and (iii). (or water potential gradient)
2

Active secretion of mineral salts into the stele creates an osmotic

gradient (or water potential gradient) across the root. This would
account for passage of water from the innermost parenchyma cells into
the vascular tissues. Water passes through the cytoplasm of
endodermal cells because the Casparian strip which runs round each
cell radially and horizontally, is impermeable to water.
3
(12)
1995 Paper 1 Question 6 Solution

6. R - sieve tube element / sieve element ()

S - parenchyma cell ()
T - companion cell ()
U - xylem vessel/vessel ()
2
(Note : wrong spelling, no mark)
Drawing
1
(resemblance, smooth and continuous line)
Annotation of R (any two) 2 x 1
2
sieve plate () - with perforations, reduce resistance to flow of food ()
anucleate / reduced cytoplasm () - reduce resistance to flow of food ()
elongated shape () - facilitate transport of food ()
probable transport mechanism :
R - mass flow

U - transpiration pull / capillary

(6)

1996 Paper 2 Question 2 Solution

2. (a) A flat blade increases surface area to capture sunlight (1)

Blade connected to the stem by the petiole, which positions the
blade for maximum exposure to the sun (1),
Veins to support the blade (1),
Veins transport water to the mesophyll (1),
Stomata allow for diffusion of CO2 (1),
Chloroplasts of leaf are concentrated in the palisade mesophyll (1),
Columnar palisade mesophyll cells are xlosely packed beneath the
epidermis, maximize capture of sunlight (1),
Spongy mesophyll cells have large air spaces between them to
facilitate CO2 diffusion (1).
 (8)

(b)

5
* Deduct mark for wrong spelling
Intermediate = triose phosphate ()
Product = *starch / *sucrose / *hexose () * Deduct mark for wrong
spelling 1
(6)
(c) Mass flow hypothesis :
Sucrose / sugar concentration at the leaf end of the phloem is high
(), Water moves in by osmosis from the neighbouring cells (), this
builds up a high hydrostatic pressure ().
2
At storage organ, sugar is converted to starch / used up (). This
causes sugar from the phloem to move into the storage organ
(). Water potential in the sieve tube is increased (). Water moves
out from the phloem sieve tube by osmosis (). The hydrostatic
pressure at this end of the phloem sieve tube is reduced ().
2
This difference in hydrostatic pressure () / water potential
between the leaf end and the storage end causes a mass flow of
water along the phloem sieve tube () carrying with it, the sugar,
towards the storage organ ().
1
(6)
(Total : 20 marks)
1997 Paper 2 Question 6 Solution

6. (Deduct 1 mark for answers in 'note' or 'point' form.)

(a) Mechanisms for water movement in flowering plants (10 marks)

Water is transported along the xylem ().

(1) Cohesion-tension () # developed from transpiration leads to the
mass flow of water in the xylem.
Water is lost from the leaf by transpiration () and this develops a
water potential gradient () (in the form of a pressure gradient)
which constantly draws water from the leaf xylem to the leaf cells
() and from the xylem in the stem to that in the leaf (). This
creates a tension () negative pressure / transpiration pull / pull
along the xylem vessels. Water / pressure potential in the root
xylem is lowered () and this draws water in from the soil () *by
suction. At the same time, presence of cohesive force between
water molecules () # and adhesive force between water molecules
and xylem wall () / capillarity enables the water columns inside the
xylem to remain unbreakable (). All these together leads to the
mass flow of water in the xylem.
6
[Water is used up in metabolism and cell growth which also
creates a water potential gradient to move water from the xylem
into the cells (1).]
(2) The root pressure () is a positive pressure in the root xylem
pushing water up the stem from the root.

In the root, there is active secretion / transport of (mineral) ions ()
from the surrounding parenchyma () / endodermis into the root
xylem vessels (). This accumulation of solutes in the xylem lowers
its water potential () and leads to the absorption of water () * from
the soil by osmosis. This continual entry of water creates a
pressure to push water upwards (1) along the xylem.
3
(For makers' reference : Root pressure builds up only when leaf
transpiration is minimal e.g. at night.)
* / # Count once only
10
(b) Mechanism of water movement in mammals (12 marks)
Water is transported in blood () and lymph () around the body.
1
(1) Rhythmic contraction of the heart is the driving force to propel
blood along the blood vascular system(1). The pace maker
(sinoatrial / SA node) initiates the electrical excitation (1) and sets
the right and the left atria to contract simultaneously (). This
propels blood from the atria to the ventricles (). The wave of
contraction then spreads to the atrioventricular / AV node (), the
bundle of His and the Purkinje fibres which cause the right and left
ventricles to contract. Blood is force out from the heart into the
arteries () in pulses.
(For markers' reference : Tissue fluid formation and its return to the
venules (2). Relaxation of ventricles sucks in blood from atria ().)
7
(2) The wall of the arteries are elastic. The recoil of the artery wall
after its dilation due to squirts of blood from the heart pushes the
blood and the water in it further away from the heart (1).
1
(3) Skeletal muscle In the veins and lymphatic vessels, blood and
lymph flow under reduced pressure (). Flow is enhanced by the
contraction of adjacent skeletal muscles () which compress the
wall () of veins and lymphatics. The valves in the veins and
lymphatics prevent back flow (1).
2
The negative pressure in the thorax produced during inspiration also
helps to draw blood and lymph towards the heart (1).
1
12
(c) Differences between the nature of the controlling factors affecting
water movement (4 marks - award 0 mark if no comparison made)
Mammals (2 marks) Flowering plants (2 marks)
Active (1) - has pumping Passive (1) - no pumping 2
Control is internal / physiological / Control is external / environmental (1) 2
homeostatic (1) - by (autonomic) nervous e.g. soil water availability, humidity, air
system and hormones e.g. adrenaline temperature and light.
4
(Max. : 20)