Topic 6: Plant Nutrition

Question 1

Carbohydrate

Answer 1

A large molecule that is synthesised from simple sugars.

Question 2

Chlorophyll

Answer 2

A photosynthetic pigment found in chloroplasts that transfers light energy into chemical energy in molecules.

Question 3

Chloroplast

Answer 3

An organelle found in plants and algae that is the site for photosynthesis.

Question 4

Gaseous exchange

Answer 4

The exchange of respiratory gases between an organism and its environment.

Question 5

Guard cells

Answer 5

Cells that surround the stomata and change shape depending on the volume of water. They control the rate of transpiration by becoming turgid or flaccid, opening or closing stomata.

Question 6

Hydrogencarbonate indicator

Answer 6

An indicator that changes colour depending on the concentration of carbon dioxide and the resulting pH of the solution.

Question 7

Limiting factor

Answer 7

A variable that is in short supply and limits the rate of a particular reaction.

Question 8

Lower epidermis

Answer 8

A layer of cells on the leaf’s lower surface that contains stomata and guard cells.

Question 9

Magnesium ions

Answer 9

A type of mineral element required by plants for the production of chlorophyll. If a plant is deficient in magnesium ions its leaves turn yellow in a process known as chlorosis.

Question 10

Nitrate ions

Answer 10

A type of mineral element required by plants for the production of amino acids. If a plant is deficient in nitrate ions it exhibits stunted growth. It’s lower leaves become yellow and its upper leaves turn pale green.

Question 11

Palisade mesophyll

Answer 11

The main photosynthetic tissue in plants located below the upper epidermis. It receives the most light so contains the greatest concentration of chloroplasts

Question 12

Phloem

Answer 12

A transport tissue found in plants that is specialised to transport sugars from the leaves to the rest of the plant in both directions.

Question 13

Photosynthesis

Answer 13

A reaction that takes place inside photosynthetic organisms (e.g. plants, algae) and manufactures carbohydrates from raw materials using light energy. Overall in the presence of light and chlorophyll:

Question 14

Photosynthes Equation

Answer 14

carbon dioxide + water ⟶ glucose + oxygen
6CO2 + 6H2 O ⟶ C6 H12 O6 + 6O2

Question 15

Spongy mesophyll

Answer 15

A type of loosely packed mesophyll tissue with air pockets, which is specialised for gas exchange. It contains some chloroplasts for photosynthesis.

Question 16

Starch

Answer 16

A type of carbohydrate made from many glucose molecules joined together. It serves as an energy store in plants.

Question 17

Stomata

Answer 17

Small holes found on the surface of a plant (typically leaves) that can be opened or closed by guard cells to control water loss and gas exchange.

Question 18

Sucrose

Answer 18

A soluble sugar produced from the breakdown of starch in plants. It can be stored, used in respiration or used to synthesise other substances.

Question 19

Upper epidermis

Answer 19

A layer of transparent cells that allows light to strike the palisade mesophyll tissue.

Question 20

Vascular bundle

Answer 20

Part of the transport system in vascular plants that consists of xylem and phloem tissue.

Question 21

Xylem

Answer 21

A transport tissue in plants that is specialised to transport water and dissolved minerals from the roots of the plant to the leaves.