The diagram shows a section through a leaf. The upper layers of a leaf are transparent. Suggest an advantage to a plant of this feature.

Epidermis –transparent, physical defence layer that does not contain chloroplasts. It allows light into the leaf. Palisade mesophyll layer–regularly shaped allowing many to pack together closely at the top of the leaf. These cells also have many chloroplasts in order to trap as much light as possible. The epidermis covers the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf. Usually, a single layer of tightly packed cells, the epidermis mediates exchanges between the plant and its environment, limiting water loss, controlling gas exchange, transmitting sunlight for photosynthesis, and discouraging herbivores.

The diagram shows a section through a leaf. The cuticle is made of waxy material. Suggest an advantage to a plant of this feature

A waxy layer known as the cuticle covers the leaves of all plant species. The cuticle reduces the rate of water loss from the leaf surface. They can also reduce the rate of transpiration by blocking airflow across the leaf surface. The thicker cuticle was more resistant to tearing. Tensile strength and modulus of elasticity of cuticle were much higher than those of leaf laminas, with significant differences between adaxial and abaxial cuticles.

The diagram shows a section through a leaf. State two functions of vascular bundles in leaves.

The vascular bundle is a part of the transportation system. The transport itself happens in vascular tissue, which exists in two forms: xylem and phloem. The vascular bundle will protect and support plants. Vascular tissue transports water, minerals, and sugars to different parts of the plant. Vascular bundles are a collection of tube-like tissues that flow through plants, transporting critical substances to various parts of the plant. Xylem transports water and nutrients, phloem transports organic molecules, and cambium is involved in plant growth.

E M B I B E

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 4

MEDIUM

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Earn 100

Explain how the epidermal cells of a leaf do not have chloroplasts, which helps a leaf to photosynthesize.

Important Questions on Plant Nutrition

MEDIUM

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 4

Explain how leaves have a large surface area that can help a leaf photosynthesize.

EASY

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 4

Explain how the veins in a leaf branch repeatedly help a leaf to photosynthesise.

EASY

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 4

Explain how chloroplasts have many membranes in them which helps a leaf to photosynthesise.

HARD

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 6

Describe how a carbon atom in a carbon dioxide molecule in the air could become part of a starch molecule in a carrot root. Mention all the structures it would pass through, and what would happen to it at each stage.

MEDIUM

Upper Secondary: IGCSE

IMPORTANT

Cambridge IGCSE® Biology Coursebook Third Edition>Chapter 6 - Plant Nutrition>End-of-chapter questions>Q 7

The diagram shows a section through a leaf.

Give the letters that indicate i. stoma, ii. the cuticle, and iii a vascular bundle.

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