RESPONDING TO THE ENVIRONMENT – PLANTS – LIFE SCIENCES QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ,Plants are the unsung heroes of our planet. They not only provide us with oxygen and food but also play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. One of the most fascinating aspects of plant biology is how they respond to their environment. From bending towards light to surviving in extreme conditions, plants have evolved remarkable adaptations over millions of years. In this blog post, we’ll delve into some common questions about how plants interact with and respond to their environment.
Activity 1
Questions
Complete the table:
| Term | Description |
| a) | Chemical messenger in the plant |
| b) | Growth of a plant stem towards light |
| Geotropism | c) |
| Tropism | d) |
Answers to activity 1
a) Plant hormone✔
b) Phototropism✔
c) Growth of a plant root in response to gravity✔
d) Growth movement of a part of a plant in response to an environmental stimulus✔ [4]
Activity 2
Questions
QUESTIONS 1 to 2 are based on Diagrams I and II which illustrate the response of the tip of a young shoot to a light stimulus.
- The arrow X represents the unequal distribution of …
- abscisic acid.
- mineral salts.
- gibberellins.
- auxins.
- The curving of the shoot in Diagram II is due to more rapid cell growth in region(s) …
- 1.
- 2.
- 1 and 4.
- 3 and 4.
- The diagram above represents …
- geotropism.
- apical dominance.
- phototropism.
- gravity. 3 × 2 [6]
Answers to activity 2
1. D✔✔
2. B✔✔
3. C✔✔ 3 × 2 [6]
Activity 3
1. Describe TWO methods used by plants as defence mechanisms (4)
Answers to activity 3
1.
- Plants have thorns✔ on their stems and leaves. They are unable to escape from herbivores, and the thorns are used to protect themselves. ✔
- The chemical secretion of plants is poisinous to some organisms. ✔
- Sticky secretions given of by plants make it difficult for insects and animals to eat the plant ✔ [4]