plumiMovement of water through the plant: OCR A‑Level Biology A questions
OCR A-Level Biology A past-paper questions on 3.1.3.3 Movement of water through the plant, 2016–2025, with mark schemes and examiner’s reports where available.
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Q1(b)(i)
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All 20 questions on Movement of water through the plant, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the SA : V of the root hair. Assume the root hair is cylindrical. Use the equations: Surface area of cylinder = 2πr(r + l ) Volume of cylinder = πr 2l
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (1 mark): State how a high SA : V helps a root hair cell perform its function. [1]
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q22(c) (3 marks): The sentences are about the transport of water through a plant. Complete the sentences using the most appropriate terms. In the apoplast pathway, water moves th
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): Which of the options describes movement of water through a plant? A The Casparian strip forces water to enter the cytoplasm before it can enter the xylem. B Wat
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q21(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe what is meant by the term transpiration stream. [2]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q21(a)(ii) (1 mark): Suggest why the scientists sealed the borehole with tape. [1]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q21(b)(i) (3 marks): Explain why the plants wilted, even though they were given a lot of water. [3]
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q21(b)(ii) (2 marks): The teacher suggested that the same effect would be seen if the plants had been watered with a solution containing cyanide ions that inhibit ATP synthesis. Expl
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q16(d) (3 marks): A mycorrhiza is mutualistic association between a fungus and a plant. The fungus penetrates root cells and assists with uptake of water and nutrients. A group o
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q25(a)(ii) (3 marks): Explain how the properties of water are related to the transport role of water in a stem. [3]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): Water is transported across the root of a plant by more than one pathway. Which of the following statements about water molecules moving via the symplast pathwa
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q6 (1 mark): Which of the following statements, A to D, describes the movement of water across plant roots? A The Casparian strip blocks movement by the symplast pathway. B
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): Which of the following statements about water transport in plants is/are correct? 1 Transpiration happens as a consequence of the need for gas exchange. 2 There
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q24(d) (2 marks): Name and describe two pathways that water takes to reach the xylem vessels at the base of the stem. [2]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(a) (3 marks): Water enters plants through the roots. Most roots are covered in root hairs. The number of root hairs per mm2 of root surface is described as the density of roo
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(i) (3 marks): Calculate the standard deviation of root hair density for cress grown in mineral solution B. 2 x x / ( ) - = Use the formula: s n 1 - [Write your answer in the
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q24(b)(ii) (1 mark): The scientist thought that mineral solution B might cause a reduction in root hair density. Suggest an appropriate statistical test that the scientist could car
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q11 (1 mark): Which of the statements, A to D, correctly describes the process of adhesion? A attraction of water molecules to the impermeable walls of xylem tissue B attract
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q18(c)(ii) (2 marks): Fig. 18 shows a process that occurs in the cell surface membrane of the endodermis in the root. ATP ADP + Pi Fig. 18 Explain how the events shown in Fig. 18 cau
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q21(c) (2 marks): Halophytes are plants that have the ability to live in soils with a very low water potential. In the UK these plants form part of salt marsh communities. Sugges
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