iGCSE Biology (0610)-8.1 Xylem and phloem – iGCSE Style Questions Paper 1

Question

Which statement about a function of xylem tissue is correct?

  1. It carries glucose from the roots to the leaves.

  2. It helps to support stems and leaves.

  3. It is the only transport tissue in the plant.

  4. It carries water away from the leaves.

    ▶️Answer/Explanation

    B

    The correct statement about a function of xylem tissue is:

    B. It helps to support stems and leaves.

    Xylem tissue in plants is responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the leaves. While providing support to the plant is not the main function of xylem tissue, it does contribute to the overall structural integrity of the plant by providing a rigid framework. Xylem provides structural support to the plant, helping it maintain an upright position, helping to hold up the stems and leaves.  Xylem tissue consists of specialized cells called tracheids and vessel elements, which form a network of interconnected tubes that allow for the movement of water and nutrients throughout the plant.

Question

The photograph shows a cross-section of a root.

The root hair and the xylem are part of the same
A  cell and organism.
B  cell and tissue.
C  organ and organism.
tissue and organ.

▶️Answer/Explanation

C

In a cross-section of a root, root hair and the xylem are part of the same organ and organism.

The root hair is found in the region called the root cap or the zone of maturation. It is a specialized extension of the epidermal cells near the root tip. Root hairs are responsible for the absorption of water and nutrients from the soil.

Xylem is located in the central region of the root, known as the stele or vascular cylinder. The xylem is a complex tissue responsible for the transport of water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. It consists of several cell types, including tracheids and vessel elements, which form long tubes for water movement.

Therefore, in a root cross-section, you would typically find the root hair in the outermost layer of the root, while the xylem is present deeper within the root structure. 

Question

Which statement about xylem is correct?

     A  It carries sucrose.
     B  It converts light energy to chemical energy.
     C  It divides actively to help the plant to grow.
     D  It is no longer living.

▶️Answer/Explanation

D

The correct statement about xylem is:

D. It is no longer living.

Xylem is a type of vascular tissue in plants that is responsible for the transport of water, minerals, and nutrients from the roots to the rest of the plant. It is composed of specialized cells called vessel elements and tracheids, which are long, hollow, and dead at maturity. These cells form interconnected tubes that allow for the upward movement of water and dissolved substances through the plant. Xylem tissue provides structural support to the plant and plays a crucial role in maintaining the plant’s water balance.

Question

In a section through a plant, a student found a group of long, microscopic structures. The structures lacked end walls, cytoplasm and nuclei.

Which identification and reason best matches the student’s observations?

▶️Answer/Explanation

D

Based on the student’s observations, the identification for the long, microscopic structures lacking end walls, cytoplasm, and nuclei is the xylem vessels in plants.

The identification that best matches the student’s observations is indeed xylem vessels. The xylem vessels are long, microscopic structures found in plants that are responsible for transporting water and minerals from the roots to the rest of the plant. These vessels are composed of dead cells and lack end walls, cytoplasm, and nuclei, allowing for efficient water flow through their hollow structure. The absence of end walls, cytoplasm, and nuclei is an adaptation that facilitates the uninterrupted flow of water and dissolved nutrients through the xylem vessels.

Question

The diagram shows a cross-section through a plant stem.

                               

Q shows the part that is stained red when the stem is placed in water containing a red dye.
What is found at Q?
A  guard cells
B  palisade cells
phloem
xylem<

▶️Answer/Explanation

D

The part labeled “Q” in the diagram, which is stained red when the stem is placed in water containing a red dye, corresponds to the xylem.

Xylem is a specialized tissue in plants responsible for transporting water and dissolved minerals from the roots to the other parts of the plant, such as the leaves and stems. It is composed of several types of cells, including vessel elements and tracheids, which form long, interconnected tubes. These tubes allow for the efficient upward movement of water through the plant.

When the stem is placed in water containing a red dye, the xylem cells, particularly the vessel elements or tracheids, will absorb and transport the dye along with the water. This results in the staining of the xylem tissue, as indicated by the red color at point Q in the diagram. 

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