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The need for transport and transport in plants: exam questions

3 questions, 8 marks. Write your answers on paper, then open each mark scheme.

Question 1

Which statement explains why a unicellular organism can rely on diffusion to move substances in and out of the cell?

  1. It has a large surface area compared with its volume, so diffusion distances are short
  2. It has a transport system to carry substances
  3. It has a small surface area compared with its volume
  4. It uses active transport for all substances
[1 mark]
Show mark scheme for question 1

Answer: A (1)

Question 2

Explain why a large multicellular organism needs a transport system.

[3 marks]
Show mark scheme for question 2
  • it has a small surface area : volume ratio (1)
  • many cells are deep inside the body / far from the surface, so the diffusion distance is long (1)
  • diffusion alone would be too slow to supply oxygen and food / remove waste (1)

Question 3

State what is transported by (a) the xylem and (b) the phloem in a flowering plant.

[4 marks]
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  • (a) water (1)
  • mineral ions (1)
  • (b) sucrose (1)
  • amino acids (1)