Answers to Biology for IGCSE Chapter 3

Chapter 3 Summary Questions page 34.

(Suggested marks are given in square brackets)

1 solvent a substance in which another substance is dissolved (water is the major

solvent in biological systems)

solute the substance which dissolves in the solvent

soluble a substance that can dissolve is described as soluble [3]

2 molecules in a gas are more spread out; so it is easier for them to move from one
place to another [2]

3 (a) diffusion
(b) diffusion
(c) osmosis [3]

4 (a) concentration gradient the difference in concentration of a substance between two

places [1]

(b) diffusion net movement of molecules, from a region of high concentration to a

region of low concentration / down a concentration gradient [1]

(c) partially permeable membrane this allows movement of small molecules but not
large solute molecules; [1]

(d) osmosis diffusion of water molecules; from a region, of their high concentration /
with a dilute solution, to a region, of their lower concentration / with a
concentrated solution; through a partially permeable membrane [3]

5 water is the medium of transport; everything transported in blood / phloem / xylem

must be soluble in water; chemical reactions occur in water; cytoplasm is
mostly water so reactions can occur; plants store water soluble substances in
vacuoles [2]

cells (a) immersed in water (b) immersed in concentrated

solution of salt
animal cells burst cells shrink
plant cells swell / cells show plasmolysis /
cells become turgid cytoplasm and cell
membrane pulls away from
cell wall

[4]
7 when cells are placed into water there is a concentration gradient so water diffuses by
osmosis; through the partially permeable membrane into the cells; both cells gain water
and increase in volume; plant cells have cell walls so swell but do not burst; animal cells
do not have cell walls; cell membranes cannot withstand pressure inside cells so they
burst

when cells are placed into a concentrated solution of salt there is a concentration
gradient so water diffuses by osmosis; through the partially permeable membrane out of
the cells; both cells lose water and decrease in volume; in plant cells the vacuoles
decrease in volume pulling the cytoplasm and cell membrane away from the cell wall;
this is known as plasmolysis; in animal cells the cytoplasm decreases in volume; the
cells shrink and have a shrivelled appearance

3 max for each explanation [6]

8 water has a high water potential; when a cell is placed into water the water potential
inside the cell is lower than the surroundings; water diffuses into the cell down the water
potential gradient; by osmosis; vacuole increases in volume; vacuole, cytoplasm and
cell membrane press against cell wall making it swell

dissolving substances in water decreases the water potential; a concentrated solution of

salt has a lower water potential than the cell contents; water diffuses out of the cell down
a water potential gradient; by osmosis; the vacuole shrinks; this pulls the cytoplasm and
cell membrane away from the cell wall; the cell has less water so has a smaller volume

3 max for each explanation [6]

9 active transport; carrier proteins in cell membrane move, ions / molecules; against their
concentration gradient into cell; carrier proteins change shape; require energy
(from respiration)

4 of the above points [4]

10 root hair cells move ions against their concentration gradient; ions cannot enter by
diffusion; movement is by active transport; that requires energy; [3]

11 concentration gradient is the difference in concentrations of an ion/molecule between

two places; so is used to explain the movement of a substance from the inside to the
outside of cell or from the outside to the inside of a cell [2]

Chapter 3 Exam-Style Questions page 34-35

Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

1 C
2 A
3 C
4 D
Short Answer Questions

5 (a) (shorter) distance; (steeper) concentration gradient; (higher) temperature; (smaller)

size of molecule; [3]

(b) large surface area; thin wall / short diffusion distance; many, blood vessels /
capillaries, around alveoli; blood flow and breathing maintain concentration
gradient; [3]

6 (a)

at least half the graph paper used;

axes correctly orientated with time on the x-axis;
x-axis labelled with unit;
y-axis labelled with unit;
points plotted accurately (allow +/- a small square);
joined by straight lines between points or a straight line of best fit that starts at the
origin and does not go beyond the last plotted point (8, 190); [6]

(b) the meniscus moves up the tube at the same speed / AW;
after 8 minutes reaches 190 mm / other data quote from the graph;
height at 6 minutes may be anomalous; [2]

(c) 190/8; 23.8 / 24 mm per minute; [2]

(d) water diffuses by osmosis; from the beaker into the dialysis tubing;
down concentration gardient; dialysis tubing is a partially permeable membrane;
dialysis tubing fills with water / volume increases;
increase in pressure forces sugar solution up the tube; [4]
7 (a) oxygen is required for respiration; respiration provides energy; energy is needed for
active transport; by carrier proteins; [3]

(b)

at least half the graph paper used;

axes correctly orientated with temperature on the x-axis;
x-axis labelled with unit;
y-axis labelled with unit;
points plotted accurately;
joined by straight lines between points; [6]

(c) au = arbitrary unit

rate of uptake increases from 3 au at 5 oC;
to 20 au at 30 oC;
accept peak is at 20 au at 30 oC
steeper increase between 20 oC and 30 oC than between 5 oC and 20 oC;
rate decreases to 15 au at 40 oC; [4]

(d) the rate of respiration increases with temperature (between 5 oC and 30 oC);
more energy is available; to carrer proteins; for active transport; [3]