Edexcel IAL Biology Topic 4 Plants, Biodiversity and Conservation

Identify the plant feature or ecological measure first, then use structural adaptations, diversity values, population evidence and conservation trade-offs to justify conclusions.

Exam points

Relate plant cells, tissues and transport structures to mechanical or transport function.
Calculate or interpret biodiversity, classification and population evidence accurately.
Evaluate conservation or sustainable-use strategies through ecological and social data.

Covered syllabus points

4.1—Plant cell structure and ultrastructure 4.2—Recognising plant organelles in EM images 4.3—Starch, cellulose and cellulose microfibrils 4.4—Cellulose microfibrils and secondary thickening 4.5—Sclerenchyma, xylem and phloem 4.6—Core Practical 7 - plant tissue microscopy 4.7—Plant fibres, starch and sustainability 4.8—Water and inorganic ions in plants 4.9—Core Practical 8 - tensile strength of plant fibres 4.10—Conditions for bacterial growth 4.11—Plant-derived therapeutic substances 4.12—Core Practical 9 - antimicrobial properties of plants 4.13—Development of drug testing 4.14—Classification and taxonomy 4.15—Variety of life and human threats 4.16—Biodiversity and endemism 4.17—Measuring biodiversity and heterozygosity 4.18—Comparing biodiversity with index of diversity 4.19—Niche and adaptations 4.20—Hardy-Weinberg, allele frequency and speciation 4.21—Conservation by zoos and seed banks

[Maximum number: 3]

Female mosquitoes feed on the blood of other animals to promote the development of their eggs. During this process, infected mosquitoes can transmit the Plasmodium parasite.

The Plasmodium parasite causes the disease malaria.
The photograph shows a female Anopheles mosquito.

Figure for Question Topic 4 - Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation question 1 — Edexcel A-Level Biology AS

The fungus Metarhizium pingshaense infects Anopheles mosquitoes.

A student drew a labelled diagram of a fungal cell that was dividing.

Give three differences in ultrastructure between this cell and a cell taken from the root of a plant.

[Maximum number: 5]

A plant contains several types of cells, tissues and organs.

(a)

The photograph shows part of a cell.

Figure for Question (a) — Edexcel A-Level Biology AS

[ 2 ]

(i)

Which organelle is labelled X ?

chloroplast

endoplasmic reticulum

Golgi apparatus

plasmodesmata

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Organisms can be classified into three domains. State which of the three domains would contain an organism with the organelles X and Y .

[ 1 ]

(b)

The drawing shows tubers of a potato plant developing below the surface of the soil.

Figure for Question (b) — Edexcel A-Level Biology AS

Organic molecules are transported through the potato plant to the developing tubers. These molecules can be used to form starch molecules.

[ 3 ]

(i)

Which structure in the cells of these tubers would store starch molecules?

amyloplast

chloroplast

middle lamella

vacuole

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Explain how the structure of starch enables the potato tubers to have a high energy content.

[ 2 ]

[Maximum number: 4]

Plants and animals are made of cells.

(a)

Starch can be stored in different parts of a plant cell.

[ 4 ]

(i)

Which of these parts of a plant cell store starch?

amyloplast only

amyloplast and chloroplast only

amyloplast and vacuole only

amyloplast, chloroplast and vacuole

[ 1 ]

(ii)

Describe the structure of starch.

[ 3 ]

All question bank results loaded

Covered syllabus points

Topic 4 - Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation question 1

Topic 4 - Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation question 2

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Question (b)

Question (i)

Question (ii)

Topic 4 - Plant Structure and Function, Biodiversity and Conservation question 3

Question (a)

Question (i)

Question (ii)