New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology

Suggested answers to Exercise and Reading to learn

Chapter 10
p.1/3

Suggested answers to Exercise and Reading to

learn
(Note: The overseas examination boards bear no responsibility for the suggested answers
contained in this publication. Answers for HKCEE and HKALE questions are not available due
to copyright restrictions.)

Ch 10

Transpiration, transport and support in plants

Exercise
Multiple-choice questions (p. 10-23)
1
4

D
C

2
5

C
B

Short questions (p. 10-24)

6

HKCEE Biology 1997 I Q1

HKCEE Biology 2001 I Q3

HKCEE Biology 2006 I Q9

Xylem cells have thick cell walls which contain a hard substance called lignin as well
as cellulose. This makes the xylem strong enough to provide support to the plants.
2m
The cortex cells have thin cell walls only. Support is provided by their turgidity.

When the cells are turgid, they become rigid and press against each other.

2m

Diagram: The stem bends greatly and the leaves drooped

1m

Reason:
The non-woody stem contains little xylem tissue.

1m

Its support is mainly by the turgidity of cells. The cells become flaccid when there is

10

not enough water.

1m

The buoyancy of water provides much support to the submerged plant.

1m

Water flow is not restricted. / Transpiration stream is maintained.

1m

ii

Provides support / Waterproof to prevent water loss

1m

The rate of water flow in xylem decreases as the total area of the stomatal

openings decreases.
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1m

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Suggested answers to Exercise and Reading to learn

11

Chapter 10
p.2/3

ii

Increasing temperature leads to higher rate of evaporation / transpiration.

1m

iii

Lower plateau (start and finish at same point)

1m

HKCEE Biology 2002 I Q3

Structured question (p. 10-26)

12

The dye had travelled 9 cm up the stem in two hours.

0.5m

Rate of water movement = 9/2

0.5m

= 4.5 cm per hour

b

Any two of the following:

1m
1m x 2

Increase the light intensity around the plant.

Decrease the relative humidity around the plant.
Use a fan to increase ventilation around the plant.
c

Prepare several Coleus plants with different numbers of leaves.

1m

Put them under the same condition and start the experiment at the same time.

1m

Estimate the total surface area of leaves in each plant by tracing all the leaves on
graph paper and counting the number of squares.

1m

The rate of water movement is expected to increase with the surface area
of leaves.

1m

The relationship may not be a directly proportional one since the surface areas of
stems are not included but transpiration occurs through the cuticle of stems as well.
2m

Oxford University Press 2009

New Senior Secondary Mastering Biology

Suggested answers to Exercise and Reading to learn

Chapter 10
p.3/3

Essay (p. 10-27)

13

Light intensity:
The rate of transpiration increases with an increase in light intensity.

1m

As the light intensity increases, the stomata open wider.

1m

More water vapour in the air space diffuses out through the stomata.

1m

In darkness, the stomata close, so that the rate of transpiration decreases.

1m

Wind:
The rate of transpiration increases in windy conditions.

1m

In still air, the water vapour that diffuses out of the leaves accumulates around the stomata.
1m
Wind blows away the water vapour and prevents the decrease in the concentration gradient
of water vapour between the air space in the leaves and the surrounding air.
1m
Relative humidity:
The rate of transpiration decreases with an increase in the relative humidity of the
surrounding air.

1m

Since the air space in the leaves is saturated with water vapour, a higher relative humidity of
the surrounding air will decrease the concentration gradient of water vapour between the air
space and the surrounding air.
1m
Therefore, less water vapour from the air space will diffuse out through the stomata. 1m
(Or correct answers for other factors, e.g. air temperature, availability of soil water, air
pollution, air pressure, etc.)
14

HKALE Biology 2005 II Q5a

Reading to learn (p. 10-28)

1

Plants lose water rapidly under hot, dry conditions

1m

when the stomata open for gas exchange.

1m

The availability of water to plants is low.

1m

The needle shape greatly reduces the surface area of leaves.

1m

Less water evaporates from the leaf surface.

1m

The needle-like leaves contain few chloroplasts.

0.5m

The amount of food produced by photosynthesis in the leaves is small.

0.5m

Instead, the epidermal cells of the stems contain many chloroplasts.

0.5m

They can carry out photosynthesis to produce sufficient food for the plant.

0.5m

The swollen stems of cacti store a lot of water.

1m

The turgidity of cells provides support for the plant.

1m

Oxford University Press 2009