HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10

Question Bank Structured Question

Structured questions
|!|BIELB0100000001|!| |!|COELB0100000001|!|
* The following figures show the transverse sections of leaf X and leaf Y. Leaf X is
developed in sunlight and leaf Y is developed in shade.
Leaf X Leaf Y

(a) According to the figures shown above, describe three structural differences
between leaf X and leaf Y. (3 marks)

(b) Describe and explain how leaf X and leaf Y are adapted to function in their
growing environments. (4 marks)

(c) According to the figures, state two ways by which the leaves are adapted for
reducing water loss. (2 marks)

##
(a) Any three of the following comparisons: (1 mark each) (3m)
Leaf X Leaf Y

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -141-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

- two layers of cells in palisade - one layer of cells in palisade

mesophyll mesophyll
- more cells - less cells
- fewer chloroplasts per cell - more chloroplasts per cell
- thicker - thinner
- more air spaces - less air spaces
(b) Leaf X has more air spaces and this increases the rate of gas exchange / carbon
dioxide uptake (1m)
as carbon dioxide may limit the rate of photosynthesis under bright light
condition. (1m)
Leaf Y has more chloroplasts per cells and so the plant can get a sufficient amount
of light energy for photosynthesis (1m)
as the light available is limited under shady condition. (1m)
OR other reasonable answers
(c) Cuticle is present on the leaf surfaces. (1m)
Stomata are only present on the lower epidermis / Stomata are absent on the upper
epidermis. (1m)
________
(9 marks)
##
Skill assessed Marks
(a) Analysing data 3
(b) Applying concepts 4
(c) Analysing data 2

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -142-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

|!|BIELB0100000002|!| |!|COELB0100000002|!|
* Katie performed an experiment with three healthy plants to study the effects of nitrate
and magnesium deficiencies on the plants’ growth. She kept the plants under the same
conditions, except for the types of minerals supplied in the soil. The following diagrams
show the results after four weeks.

pale green leaf healthy leaf

yellow
yellow leaf
dead leaf

Plant X – supplied with all Plant Y – supplied with all Plant Z – supplied with all
essential minerals essential minerals essential minerals
except nitrate ions except magnesium
ions
(a) State two variables, other than the concentration of mineral ions, which should be
kept constant for all the plants. (2 marks)

(b) Compare plants X and Y.

(i) State two differences in their appearances. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain these differences. (2 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -143-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c) Compare plants X and Z.

(i) State one difference in their appearances. (1 mark)

(ii) Explain this difference. (1 mark)

(d) If the soil is deficient of nitrate and magnesium, crops will not grow well. State
one method that a farmer can use to improve the mineral content of the soil.
(1 mark)

##
(a) Any two of the following: (1 mark each) (2m)
- light intensity - temperature
- humidity - carbon dioxide level
- soil type - other reasonable answers
(b) (i) Any two of the following: (1 mark each) (2m)
- The leaves of plant Y are smaller and paler than that of plant X. / The
lower leaves in plant Y is yellow or dead while the leaves of plant X is
healthy.
- The stem of plant Y is thinner than that of plant X.
- The root development of plant Y is poorer than that of plant X.
(ii) There is not enough nitrate ions for synthesising proteins, (1m)
which are needed to make new cells. (1m)
(c) (i) Plant Z has paler leaves. / Yellow leaves are formed in plant Z while there are
no yellow leaves in plant X. (1m)
(ii) Magnesium is necessary for making chlorophyll molecules. (1m)
(d) Any one of the following: (1m)
- addition of fertiliser
- planting of leguminous plants
- other reasonable answer
________
(9 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Practical skills 2
(b)(i) Analysing data 2
(b)(ii) Applying concepts 2
(c)(i) Analysing data 1

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -144-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c)(ii) Applying concepts 1

(d) Understanding basic concepts 1
|!|BIELB0100000003|!| |!|COELB0100000003|!|
* Betty carried out an investigation to study the growth rate of radish plants by a method
called hydroponics. The following shows the set-up.

solution solution
inflow outflow

nutrient solution
radish
plant

(a) State two factors that Betty should keep constant during the investigation.
(2 marks)

(b) Explain why the solution flowing into the nutrient solution should be aerated.
(3 marks)

(c) Betty measured the total dry mass of five radish plants at one-week interval over
six weeks. The following table shows the results.
Time (week) Total dry mass of five radish plants (g)
0 (start) 0.25
1 0.65
2 3.10
3 8.75
4 10.20
5 13.35
6 14.00
(i) Describe the changes in the dry mass of the radish plants during the six weeks.
(3 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -145-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(ii) Based on the relationship between photosynthesis and respiration, state the
cause for the change in the dry mass of the plants during the six weeks.
(1 mark)

##
(a) Any two of the following: (1 mark each) (2m)
- light intensity - temperature
- humidity - carbon dioxide level
- wind speed - volume of nutrient solution
- plant species - other reasonable answers
(b) Oxygen can support respiration (1m)
that releases energy for the uptake of mineral ions by active transport. (1m)
The mineral ions are essential for building body tissues / regulating metabolism in
plants. (1m)
(c) (i) The dry mass of radish plants increased steadily during week 1 and week 2
(1m)
The dry mass increased quickly during week 3 (1m)
and then increased steadily after week 3. (1m)
(ii) When the rate of photosynthesis is higher than the rate of respiration, the dry
mass increases. (1m)
________
(9 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Practical skills 2
(b) Practical skills 3
(c)(i) Analysing data 3
(c)(ii) Applying concepts 1

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -146-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

|!|BIELA0100000004!| |!|COELA0100000004!|
** Hoagland was a plant scientist who carried out an investigation to
measure the concentrations of mineral ions in the cell sap of a
freshwater plant and the surrounding pond water. His results are
shown in the following table.

Site of Concentrations of ions (mg / L)

measurement Sodium Magnesium Potassium Chloride
Cell sap 1980 260 2400 3750
Pond water 28 360 2 35
(a) According to the table, state one ion that could have entered the plant mainly by
diffusion. Explain your answer. (3 marks)

(b) Hoagland found that some ions were taken up by the plant only if oxygen was
bubbled through the pond water. Explain his observation. (3 marks)

(c) Besides mineral ions, name two other environmental factors the freshwater plant
needs for growth and explain why these factors are necessary. (4 marks)

##
(a) magnesium ion (1m)
This is because the concentration of magnesium ion is higher in pond water than
that inside the plant cells. (1m)
So, magnesium ions can diffuse along the concentration gradient into the cells.
(1m)
(b) Since some ions are taken up into plants by active transport (1m)
and active transport requires energy released by respiration. (1m)
More energy can be released from cells through respiration when oxygen is
sufficient. (1m)
(c) Any two sets of the following: (2 marks each) (4m)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -147-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

1. Light intensity
Light supplies energy for the plant to carry out photosynthesis to produce food.
2. Carbon dioxide level
Carbon dioxide is required by the plant as the raw material in photosynthesis.
3. Temperature
An optimum temperature can facilitate the actions of enzymes that involve in
photosynthesis.
_________
(10 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Analysing data 1
(a) Applying concepts 2
(b) Applying concepts 3
(c) Understanding basic concepts 4

|!|BIELB0100000005|!| |!|COELB0100000005|!|
* The following diagram shows the root cells of a plant and the surrounding soil particles.
Key: pathway A
pathway B

cell X

(a) State two structural differences between cell X and a leaf mesophyll cell.(2 marks)

(b) Name the mineral ions absorbed by the roots that are essential components of

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -148-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(i) nucleic acids, and (1 mark)

(ii) chlorophyll. (1 mark)

(c) Pathways A and B are two main transport pathways of mineral ions in the root.
(i) Describe and explain how waterlogged soil affects pathway A. (3 marks)

(ii) If the mineral concentration in the soil is high, explain why pathway B is more
suited to the uptake of minerals. (3 marks)

##
(a) Any two of the following comparisons or other reasonable answers: (1 mark each)
(2m)
Cell X Leaf mesophyll cell
- develops long and fine root hairs - has no projections on the surface
- contains no chloroplasts - contains many chloroplasts
- not cylindrical in shape - cylindrical in shape
(b) (i) phosphate / nitrate (1m)
(ii) magnesium / nitrate (1m)
(c) (i) Waterlogged soil is poorly aerated, plant’s root cells cannot obtain enough
oxygen for respiration. (1m)
Thus less mineral ions can be absorbed from the soil by active transport (1m)
that requires energy from respiration.. (1m)
So, less mineral ions are absorbed through pathway A.
(ii) The high concentration of mineral ions in soil forms a concentration gradient
(1m)
which leads to the diffusion of mineral ions (1m)
across the fully permeable cell wall through pathway B. (1m)
_________
(10 marks)
##

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -149-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

Skill assessed Mark(s)

(a) Analysing data 2
(b)(i) Understanding basic concepts 1
(b)(ii) Understanding basic concepts 1
(c)(i) Applying concepts 3
(c)(ii) Applying concepts 3

|!|BIELB0100000006|!| |!|COELB0100000006|!|
* Alice carried out an experiment to investigate the rate of water loss from leaves. She
obtained 12 similar leaves from a dicotyledonous plant. She left six of them untreated
(Group A) and six of them with the upper surface smeared with vaseline (Group B). She
weighed the leaves and tied all the leaves on a thread as shown below.

thread

Group A Group B
stand

(a) State two environmental factors that Alice needed to be kept constant during the
experiment. (2 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -150-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(b) During the experiment, Alice weighed the leaf from each group every 20 minutes
over a period of two hours. The decrease in leaf mass can represent the amount of
water loss. The following graph shows the results.

(i) According to the graph shown above, explain the change in the mass of leaves
of Group A. (3 marks)

(ii) Explain for the differences between the results of the leaves in Group A and
Group B. (2 marks)

(c) If a leaf from Group A was put in a beaker of hot water, bubbles were released
from the leaf surfaces.
(i) What would be the difference in the number of bubbles released from both
surfaces? (1 mark)

(ii) Explain why bubbles were released. (2 marks)

##
(a) Any two of the following: (1 mark each) (2m)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -151-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

- light intensity
- relative humidity
- wind velocity
- temperature
(b) (i) Due to the water potential gradient between the inside of the leaf and the
atmosphere, (1m)
water evaporates out through the stomata. (1m)
As water potential gradient decreases during the experiment, stomata close to
prevent excessive water loss. (1m)
(ii) Since stomata on the upper surface are blocked by vaseline, (1m)
less water is evaporated / transpired form the leaves. (1m)
(c) (i) The lower surface would release more bubbles. (1m)
(ii) The air in the intercellular spaces expanded if the leaf was put in hot water.
(1m)
The expanded air escaped through the stomata as bubbles. (1m)
_________
(10 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Practical skills 2
(b)(i) Analysing data 1
(b)(i) Applying concepts 2
(b)(ii) Analysing data 1
(b)(ii) Applying concepts 1
(c)(i) Applying concepts 1
(c)(ii) Applying concepts 2

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -152-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

|!|BIELA0100000007|!| |!|COELA0100000007|!|
** The following diagram shows the cross section of the leaf of a water lily, with its leaves
floating on the surface of pond water.
A

(a) Identify structures A and B. (2 marks)

(b) State how structures A, B and C can help the plants adapt to live on the surface of
pond water. (3 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -153-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c) The following graph shows the rate of oxygen uptake by the water lily during a
day.
3

0 Time of the
Rate of oxygen 0600 1200 1800 2400 day (hour)
–1
uptake
(arbitrary unit) – 2

–3

–4

–5

–6

(ii) State the time at which the water lily carries out photosynthesis at the
maximum rate. (1 mark)

(ii) What is the implication of having a negative uptake of oxygen for the water
lily? (1 mark)

(iii)According to the graph, how does the water lily affects the oxygen content in
water during night time? (2 marks)

##
(a) A: guard cell (1m)
B: palisade mesophyll (1m)
(b) Guard cells (structure A) are found on the upper surface to help gas exchange.
(1m)
Chloroplasts are concentrated in palisade mesophyll (structure B) to give
maximum light absorption for photosynthesis. (1m)
Air spaces (structure C) are large to keep the leaf buoyant. / Air spaces are found
near the upper surface to facilitate the diffusion of gases from stomata to the
mesophyll. (1m)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -154-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c) (i) 12:00 (1m)

(ii) A negative uptake of oxygen implies that the photosynthetic rate of the water
lily is higher than the rate of respiration. (1m)
(iii) During night time, there is a net uptake of oxygen by the water lily.
(1m)
Therefore, the oxygen content in water decreases. (1m)
________
(9 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Analysing data 2
(b) Understanding basic concepts 3
(c)(i) Applying concepts 1
(c)(ii) Applying concepts 1
(c)(iii) Analysing data 2

|!|BIELA0100000008|!| |!|COELA0100000008|!|
** The following graph shows the rate of carbon dioxide uptake by a plant at 15°C and
30°C during a 24-hour period.
2.5
15°C
2

1.5
Rate of carbon
30°C
dioxide uptake 1
(mg CO2 h–1)
0.5

0
0000 0400 0800 1200 1600 2000 2400

–0.5 Time (hour)

(a) State the times at which the carbon dioxide uptake is the same at both
temperatures. (1 mark)

(b) Compare the rate of carbon dioxide uptake at 15°C and 30°C in daylight and
darkness. (3 marks)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -155-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c) State a possible reason to explain the difference in the carbon dioxide uptake at
both temperatures during the daytime. (1 mark)

(d) (i) Given that Area A is the area below the curve and above the x-axis; and Area A
can represent the amount of food production through photosynthesis. What can
Area B, the area above the curve and below the x-axis represent? (1 mark)

(ii) Based on the areas mentioned in (i), how can we determine the net food
production by the plant? (1 mark)

(iii)In terms of the net food production by the plant, which temperature is the most
suitable for the growth of the plant? Explain why. (3 marks)

##
(a) 06:00, 19:30 (1m)
(b) There is a greater uptake of carbon dioxide at 15°C than 30°C during the hours of
daytime. (1m)
There is a greater uptake of carbon dioxide at 30°C than 15°C during the hours of
darkness. (1m)
The uptake of carbon dioxide at 30°C is always positive while that at 15°C
becomes negative at night time. (1m)
(c) Enzymes may be denatured at high temperature and this inhibits the rate of
photosynthesis. (1m)
(d) (i) It can represent the amount of food consumed by respiration. (1m)
(ii) Net food production by the plant = Area A – Area B (1m)
(iii) 15°C
(1m)
Since the net food production by the plant at 15°C is greater than that at 30°C,
(1m)
the growth rate by the plant is greater at 15°C than that at 30°C. (1m)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -156-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

_________
(10 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Analysing data 1
(b) Analysing data 3
(c) Applying concepts 1
(d)(i) Applying concepts 1
(d)(ii) Applying concepts 1
(d)(iii) Analysing data 1
(d)(iii) Applying concepts 2

|!|BIELC0100000009|!| |!|COELC0100000009|!|
The graph below shows the net uptake and release of carbon dioxide of a local plant
during a day.

(a) Explain for the shape of the curve during the time from 03:00 to 07:00. (3 marks)

(b) (i) State the time period during which the curve levels off. (1 mark)

(ii) Why does the graph level off? (1 mark)

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -157-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(c) (i) Suggest one environmental change that can lower the height of the curve’s
peak. (1 mark)

(ii) Describe how the condition you answered in (c)(i) causes the change.
(2 marks)

##
(a) During darkness, no photosynthesis occurs (1m)
and only respiration takes place, (1m)
so there is a net release of carbon dioxide by respiration. (1m)
(b) (i) 12:00 to 17:00 (1m)
(ii) This is because other factors (e.g. carbon dioxide concentration) limit the rate
of photosynthesis. (1m)
(c) (i) decrease in temperature / decrease in light intensity / other reasonable answer
(1m)
(ii) Decrease in temperature can decrease the activity of enzymes involved in the
reactions of photosynthesis. OR
Decrease in light intensity can decrease the amount of light energy used to
start the photosynthetic process. (1m)
Therefore, the photosynthetic rate decreases and this decreases the uptake of
carbon dioxide. (1m)
________
(8 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Analysing data 1
(a) Applying concepts 2
(b)(i) Analysing data 1
(b)(ii) Applying concepts 1
(c)(i) Applying concepts 1
(c)(ii) Applying concepts 2

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -158-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

|!|BIELB0100000010|!| |!|COELB0100000010|!|
* The following diagram shows a experiment used to investigate the gas exchange in
green plants. The hydrogencarbonate indicator solutions in test tubes A to D were red at
the beginning of the experiment.
muslin cloth
A B C D

thermometer
aluminium
foil

water bath hydrogencarbonate

indicator solution

uniform source
of light

(a) What is the purpose of setting up test tube D in this experiment? (2 marks)

(b) What is the purpose of immersing the test tubes in a water bath? (1 mark)

(c) Suggest one variable that should be kept constant during the investigation.
(1 mark)

(d) The following table shows the results of the investigation after three hours.
Test tube Final colour of the indicator solution
A yellow
B red
C purple
D red
(i) Explain the change in the indicator solution in tube A. (2 marks)

(ii) Explain the change in the indicator solution in tube C. (2 marks)

(iii) Explain why there is no change in the indicator solution in tube B.

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -159-

 HKDSE BIOLOGY—Concepts and Applications Chapter 10
Question Bank Structured Question

(2 marks)

##
(a) Test tube D serves as a control (1m)
It is used to see if colour change of indicator solution is due to the presence of
leaf. (1m)
(b) to provide a constant temperature to all test tubes (1m)
(c) carbon dioxide level / size of the leaf / concentration of hydrogencarbonate
indicator solution / other reasonable answer (1m)
(d) (i) In darkness, respiration occurs and photosynthesis does not occur in the leaf.
(1m)
More carbon dioxide is thus released. (1m)
(ii) In bright light, the rate of photosynthesis is higher in the leaf. (1m)
More carbon dioxide is absorbed by the leaf. (1m)
(iii) The rate of respiration equals to the rate of photosynthesis.
(1m)
The uptake and release of carbon dioxide by the leaf is balanced. (1m)
_________
(10 marks)
##
Skill assessed Mark(s)
(a) Practical skills 2
(b) Practical skills 1
(c) Practical skills 1
(d)(i) Applying concepts 2
(d)(ii) Applying concepts 2
(d)(iii) Applying concepts 2

© Aristo Educational Press Ltd. -160-