plumiTransport systems in plants: OCR A‑Level Biology B questions
Every OCR A-Level Biology B exam question on 2.2.4 Transport systems in plants, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.
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Calculations
Q33(a)(i)
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Q33(a)(ii)
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Q33(a)(iii)
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Q33(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 1, question 33(b)(i): Use the photomicrograph to identify whether the soybean plant is classified as dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous. Explain your choice. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42201-jun25-33-bi-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(d)(i)
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Q1(d)(ii)
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Q1(d)(iii)
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Q1(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(a)(i): The cells labelled A and B are two different types of cell in the vascular tissue of the root. Identify the types of cell labelled A and B. A B [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42203-jun25-01-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(a)(iii)
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Q1(b)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(b)(i): State how the group of control plants would be set up differently to the group of plants given salt solution and explain the purpose of this control group. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42203-jun25-01-bi-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(b)(ii)
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Q1(b)(iii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2025 Paper 3, question 1(b)(iii): Suggest what conclusions can be made from the results shown in the graph. [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42203-jun25-01-biii-qp.webp?v=3)
Q4(b)
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Q4(c)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 Paper 3, question 4(c)(i): Discuss whether the production and deposition of callose would have a significant impact on the mass of starch this plant is able to store in its sinks. [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h42203-jun24-04-ci-qp.webp?v=3)
Q4(c)(ii)
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Q1(a)(i)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 1(a)(i): State the functions of tissues D and E. D E [2]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h02202-jun24-01-ai-qp.webp?v=3)
Q1(a)(ii)
The whole paper ↗![June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 1(a)(ii): Using this image, produce a low power plan drawing of the stem tissues. [3]](https://pub-e8a9dbab8e2a4d089f52b2a45e0d0b50.r2.dev/bank/h02202-jun24-01-aii-qp.webp?v=3)
All 83 questions on Transport systems in plants, as a list
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q33(a)(i) (2 marks): A student wants to use the apparatus to investigate the effect of wind speed on the rate of transpiration. Explain two modifications to the apparatus that will
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q33(a)(ii) (4 marks): This is the raw data recorded by the student. Results after 30 minutes 20 cm 1) 15mm 2) 16 mm 3) 14 mm Mean = 15.0 40 cm 1) 13mm 2) 14 mm 3) 12 mm Mean = 13.0 6
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q33(a)(iii) (2 marks): Use the information from the student’s investigation and the equation below to estimate the mean rate of transpiration from the results at 20 cm. Use the formul
- June 2025, Paper 1, Q33(b)(i) (2 marks): Use the photomicrograph to identify whether the soybean plant is classified as dicotyledonous or monocotyledonous. Explain your choice. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(d)(i) (2 marks): In an initial experiment, the student obtains these results for one species of plant: Position of bubble at start = 2 mm Position of bubble after 10 minutes = 1
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(d)(ii) (1 mark): The student then calculates the rate of transpiration in two other species of plant, D and E. The student takes readings every 5 minutes using the potometer. Th
- June 2025, Paper 2, Q1(d)(iii) (2 marks): The student calculates the rate of movement of the air bubble in species D as 9.33 mm min–1. The internal diameter of the potometer tube is 1.5 mm. Calculate th
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): The cells labelled A and B are two different types of cell in the vascular tissue of the root. Identify the types of cell labelled A and B. A B [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(a)(iii) (1 mark): One risk when dissecting plant tissues, such as roots, is the potential for injury when using sharp instruments. State one other health and safety risk that sho
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b)(i) (2 marks): State how the group of control plants would be set up differently to the group of plants given salt solution and explain the purpose of this control group. [2]
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the largest percentage difference in water uptake between the plants in the control group and the plants given salt solution. Use your answer to compl
- June 2025, Paper 3, Q1(b)(iii) (2 marks): Suggest what conclusions can be made from the results shown in the graph. [2]
- June 2025, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Which option about why multicellular plants need transport systems is not correct? A Assimilates must be transported from source to sink B Diffusion distances a
- June 2024, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of the statements about the transport of water in the apoplast pathway is correct? A The apoplast pathway is only used to move water from root hair cells
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q4(b) (1 mark): Aphids are used in experiments to measure the rate of translocation in phloem tissue. Suggest appropriate units for the rate of translocation in phloem tissue.
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q4(c)(i) (3 marks): Discuss whether the production and deposition of callose would have a significant impact on the mass of starch this plant is able to store in its sinks. [3]
- June 2024, Paper 3, Q4(c)(ii) (2 marks): A scientist plans to compare the concentration of callose in the phloem tissue of two groups of plants of the same species: • plants that have not had aphids fe
- June 2024, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Which row shows correct information about phloem loading during translocation. Ion used as ATP required to Molecule being co-transporter transport ions out co-t
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q1(a)(i) (2 marks): State the functions of tissues D and E. D E [2]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q1(a)(ii) (3 marks): Using this image, produce a low power plan drawing of the stem tissues. [3]
- June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q1(b) (6 marks): The image below shows a transverse section of stem from a celery plant seen through a light microscope. Y D X E ×120 magnification (b)* A teacher wanted their s
- June 2023, Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): Which of the statements about transport systems in plants is correct? A Carbon dioxide needs to be transported from leaves to other organs for photosynthesis. B
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q1 (1 mark): Stomatal conductance is a measure of the rate of diffusion of water vapour through the stomata of a leaf. Which of the environmental factors would cause an incr
- June 2022, Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): The photomicrograph shows a section through the stem of a sunflower, Helianthus annuus. Which of the options correctly identifies what is shown in the photomicr
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Identify the tissues labelled E and F on Fig. 6.1. E F [2]
- June 2022, Paper 2, Q6(a)(ii) (3 marks): Suggest the function of the region marked G on Fig. 6.1. [3]
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Acidified phloroglucinol is a differential stain that shows the presence of lignin in plant tissues by staining structures containing lignin red. Which of the p
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q14 (1 mark): A group of students used the potometer below to estimate the rate of transpiration during an investigation. Leafy Water shoot reservoir Screw clip Scale in mm P
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q15 (1 mark): A student completed the plan drawing, shown below, of a section of plant organ they observed using a light microscope. Cortex Xylem Phloem Which plant organ is
- June 2022, AS Paper 1, Q21(a) (2 marks): Explain why most of the sucrose extracted from sugarcane plants is found in their stems. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 1, Q28 (1 mark): A group of students were investigating the rate of translocation in plants using aphids. The diagram shows the apparatus used in their investigation. glass cham
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(a) (6 marks): During transpiration water vapour is lost from the leaves of a plant through stomata. A group of students set up the potometer shown in Fig. 3.1 to estimate the
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Using Fig. 3.3, describe and explain the effect of decreasing leaf water potential on the transpiration rate for the plants in this investigation. [2]
- November 2021, Paper 3, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): Use the curve in Fig. 3.3 to calculate the rate of change in transpiration at -0.7 MPa. Rate of change = g m 2 h 1 MPa 1 [2]
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): The diagram shows possible pathways in which water can travel between the cells of a plant. Item removed due to third party copyright restrictions. Taken from O
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q24(c)(i) (1 mark): Identify the feature of xylem tissue, labelled X in Fig. 24.2. [1]
- November 2021, AS Paper 1, Q24(c)(ii) (2 marks): Explain the importance of X in the movement of water through xylem tissue. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q30 (1 mark): At high altitude, the lower atmospheric pressure decreases the water content of air. Which of the options, A to D, describes the likely consequence of high alti
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q35(a) (1 mark): Explain why plants require transport systems. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q35(b)(i) (1 mark): Name the sugar most commonly translocated. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q35(b)(ii) (2 marks): After an aphid removes its mouthpart, sap continues to flow to the surface of the stem. Explain why. [2]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q35(b)(iii) (1 mark): Some plant tissues are described as sources and sinks. Explain why the stem tissue in the diagram could be described as neither a source nor a sink. [1]
- November 2020, Paper 1, Q35(b)(iv) (6 marks): Translocation is the movement of organic substances made by a plant from one region to another along phloem tissue. (iv)* Investigators could use the example of
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): The diagram shows one mechanism of transporting molecules through a plant. source (leaf cell) molecule sink (root cell) Which of the statements, A to D, describ
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q21(a) (2 marks): The apparatus in Fig. 21.1 is designed to estimate rate of transpiration in the plant cutting by recording changes in mass over several days. Explain why this m
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q21(b)(i) (2 marks): The students maintained constant environmental factors such as temperature and light intensity throughout the investigation. Name one other factor regarding pla
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q21(b)(ii) (4 marks): Evaluate the method of estimating transpiration rate shown in Fig. 21.1 compared to using a standard potometer. [4]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(i) (1 mark): Suggest one reason why the students’ data showed much higher rates of transpiration than those shown by the secondary data. [1]
- November 2020, AS Paper 1, Q21(c)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the percentage change in the mean rate of transpiration estimated by the students as wind speed is increased from 2.0 to 4.0 ms–1. Give your answer to
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q9 (1 mark): Which of the statements, A to D, is a correct description of why plants need transport systems? A Plants are multicellular. B Plants have a large surface area:v
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q32(a)(i) (2 marks): Most ABA is produced in root hair cells and is carried in xylem tissue to the leaves. ABA is transported to the xylem tissue via the apoplast pathway. Describe
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q32(a)(ii) (1 mark): Some ABA is produced in leaves and is transported to the rest of the plant in phloem tissue. The photomicrograph in Fig. 32.1, on the insert, is a transverse se
- June 2019, Paper 1, Q32(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe and explain three ways in which phloem tissue is adapted for the transport of sugars and other small molecules. 1 2 3 [3]
- June 2019, AS Paper 1, Q20 (1 mark): The photomicrograph below shows a transverse section of a plant organ. vascular bundles Which of the plant organs, A to D, is shown in the photomicrograph? A st
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(i) (1 mark): Through which of the tissues, labelled W to Z in Fig. 1.2, is sucrose transported? [1]
- June 2019, AS Paper 2, Q1(b)(ii) (2 marks): The plant tissues in Fig. 1.2 have been stained. State the type of stain and explain why it was used to prepare the slide. [2]
- June 2018, Paper 1, Q25 (1 mark): Wind speed influences the rate of transpiration in a plant. Which of the options, A to D, would increase in windy conditions? A kinetic energy of water molecule
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(a) (1 mark): Complete Table 2.1 by calculating the missing percentages for Coleus and Portulaca. Show your working. [1]
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Temperature was controlled in this experiment. State two other variables that should be controlled to ensure valid results in this experiment. 1 2 [2]
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(b)(ii) (3 marks): Freeman made the following conclusions: • There is a large difference between the rate of transpiration of a plant growing on its own roots (‘normal’ transpirat
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(c)(i) (3 marks): Freeman then designed an experiment to allow him to measure the rate of transpiration in an alfalfa plant growing in soil in a greenhouse. Fig. 2 shows the appa
- June 2018, Paper 2, Q2(c)(ii) (3 marks): The total area of leaves inside the cylinder was 22.28 cm2. Use this value and your graph to calculate the rate of transpiration. Give your answer in standard f
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q7 (1 mark): The rate of transpiration can be affected by changing certain environmental factors. Which of the options, A to D, are changes that would result in an increased
- June 2018, AS Paper 1, Q12 (1 mark): Phloem loading is the process whereby plants move sucrose from a source into phloem sieve tubes. During phloem loading, sucrose must be transported across the c
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(i) (4 marks): The student made the following statement: My observations support the theory of translocation. Using the information in Table 5 and your knowledge of translocat
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q5(b)(ii) (3 marks): State three modifications to the procedure that would allow the observations in Table 5 to be reproducible. 1 2 3 [3]
- June 2018, AS Paper 2, Q5(c) (3 marks): Tomato plants are broad-leaved crop plants. Compare the structure of a tomato plant with that of a cereal crop plant, such as wheat with regards to their transp
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q10 (1 mark): In a plant, sucrose is loaded into a companion cell using a protein carrier that co-transports H+ ions. Which of the options, A to D, is a correct description o
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(a)(i) (1 mark): Give one piece of advice when setting up the potometer to ensure a continuous stream of water between the capillary tube and the shoot. [1]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(a)(ii) (2 marks): Using information in Table 33, calculate the standard deviation for the data from row 4 (wind speed of 6 m s−1). _ i 2 / x x - s = n 1 - standard deviation = [2
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(a)(iii) (3 marks): Describe and explain the data trend in Table 33. [3]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(a)(iv) (2 marks): State two environmental variables that should have been controlled during this investigation. 1 2 [2]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(a)(v) (2 marks): Explain why the potometer only gives an estimate of the rate of transpiration. [2]
- June 2017, Paper 1, Q33(b) (3 marks): Plants take up water into the root hairs. The water is then transported into the vascular tissue via the root cortex. Describe how water travels through the roo
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q2 (1 mark): Transpiration in plants is affected by environmental factors. Which of the environmental factors, A to D, will affect transpiration by changing the kinetic ener
- June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q8 (1 mark): The photomicrograph below is a transverse section through a dicotyledonous stem showing two types of cell in phloem tissue. structure X The structure labelled X
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q6(c) (2 marks): Water must enter plants via the roots and move through the tissues to enter the xylem vessels. On Fig. 6, draw the apoplast pathway taken by water from point X
- June 2017, AS Paper 2, Q6(d) (4 marks): Complete the sentences below about the movement of water through xylem vessels. As water molecules move through xylem vessels they are attracted to each other b
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q13 (1 mark): Below are some statements about how water is transported from soil to the xylem of plants. The statements are not in the correct order. 1. Mineral ions are acti
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q22(a)(iii) (1 mark): Why do seed-bearing plants need a transport system? [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 1, Q22(b) (3 marks): Flowering plants have developed organs, such as fruits, which act as ‘sinks’ in translocation. Explain the role of a ‘sink’ in the mechanism of translocation. [
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(i) (1 mark): State the dependent variable in this investigation. [1]
- June 2016, AS Paper 2, Q1(c)(ii) (1 mark): Temperature is a variable that must be controlled in the investigation to obtain valid data. State one other variable and explain how it will be controlled. Var
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