9700 Biology November 2025 Question Paper 52

1 The plantain lily, Hosta plantaginea, as shown in Fig. 1.1, is a flowering plant found in Asia. leaf with stomata on the lower epidermis Fig. 1.1

The hydrostatic pressure increases inside guard cells when water enters the guard cells down a water potential gradient. This affects the width of the stomata.

Fig. 1.2 shows 1 open stoma from the plantain lily surrounded by 2 guard cells. stoma guard cells Fig. 1.2 , ,

A student investigated the effect of different sucrose solutions on the width of stomata in the leaves of plantain lily.

The student: • prepared 5 microscope slides as shown in Table 1.1 Table 1.1 microscope slide number liquid added to microscope slide 1 large drop of distilled water 2 large drop of 2.5% sucrose solution 3 large drop of 5.0% sucrose solution 4 large drop of 10.0% sucrose solution 5 large drop of 20.0% sucrose solution • removed the lower epidermis from a leaf of plantain lily • immersed 1 small piece of lower epidermis in the drop on microscope slide 1 • placed a cover slip over the piece of lower epidermis • observed the stomata using a light microscope fitted with an eyepiece graticule • repeated the steps for microscope slides 2, 3, 4 and 5.

(a) (i) State the independent and dependent variables in the investigation. independent dependent [2]

(ii) The student prepared 20 cm3 of 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% sucrose solutions from a 20.0% w/v stock solution.

Complete the description of the student’s dilution method for the 2.5% and 5.0% sucrose solutions by writing the correct volumes in the following sentences.

The student mixed cm3 of 20.0% sucrose stock solution with cm3 of distilled water to produce a 2.5% sucrose solution.

The student mixed cm3 of 20.0% sucrose stock solution with cm3 of distilled water to produce a 5.0% sucrose solution. [2] , ,

(iii) The student observed stomata on the microscope slides using the high‑power objective lens.

Outline a method the student could use to investigate the effect of the sucrose solutions in Table 1.1 on the width of stomata in the leaves of plantain lily.

Your method should be set out in a logical order and be detailed enough to allow another person to follow it.

Details of how to prepare the microscope slides should not be included [5] , ,

(iv) Predict the effect of increasing the sucrose concentration from 0.0% to 20.0% on the width of stomata in the leaves of plantain lily.

Explain your prediction. prediction explanation [2] , ,

(b) Another piece of lower epidermis from a leaf of plantain lily was immersed in a large drop of distilled water on a microscope slide.

Fig. 1.3 shows the lower epidermis viewed using the low‑power objective lens.

The student determined the stomatal density on the lower epidermis using Fig. 1.3 only. stomata 40 μm Fig. 1.3

(i) Use Fig. 1.3 to calculate the stomatal density on the lower epidermis.

Use the equation:

area = πr2 and π = 3.14

Give your answer to the nearest whole number and show your working.

stomatal density = mm–2 [4]

(ii) Suggest how this investigation could be improved to increase confidence in your answer in (b)(i) [1] , ,

(iii) A different plant species had a lower stomatal density than the value calculated for plantain lily in (b)(i).

Suggest how the environmental conditions of the different plant species may vary from those of the plantain lily.

Explain your answer [2] [Total: 18] , ,

2 Scientists investigated the effect of abscisic acid (ABA) on reducing water loss in plants. The scientists predicted that ABA, as well as stimulating stomatal closure, also reduces water loss in plants in other ways.

The scientists used a mutant variety of thale cress, Arabidopsis thaliana, that has stomata that do not respond to ABA. When ABA is present, the stomata of the mutant variety remain open.

The scientists sprayed different concentrations of ABA on the leaves of the mutant variety and measured the transpiration rates of the plants.

The results are shown in Fig. 2.1. 0.0 0 10 50 ABA concentration / μmol dm−3 Error bars show ± 1 standard error (SE). 0 μmol dm−3 ABA = distilled water 100 400 0.5 1.0 1.5 mean transpiration rate / mmol m−2 s−1 2.0 2.5 Fig. 2.1

(a) Calculate the percentage decrease in transpiration rate from 0 to 400 µmol dm–3 of ABA for the mutant variety.

Show your working.

percentage decrease = [2] , ,

(b) With reference to Fig. 2.1, suggest conclusions that can be made about the effect of different concentrations of ABA on the transpiration rates of the mutant variety.

State the evidence that supports your conclusions [2]

(c) The scientists used a mutant variety of thale cress that has stomata that do not respond to ABA.

The scientists concluded that ABA reduces water loss in thale cress by ways other than stomatal closure.

Suggest additional information that is required to increase the confidence in this conclusion [3] [Total: 7] , ,

3 Seeds of the common stork’s‑bill, Erodium cicutarium, are shown in Fig. 3.1.

The awn is an extension on the E. cicutarium seed. The seed uses the awn to push the seed head into the soil to allow the seed to germinate. The awn changes shape when the humidity changes.

Humidity is the concentration of water vapour in the air. The higher the humidity, the higher the concentration of water vapour in the air. awn in high humidity seed heads awn in low humidity Fig. 3.1

A student investigated the effect of humidity on the appearance of the awn.

The student set up the apparatus as shown in Fig. 3.2.

Water can be added to the filter paper to change the humidity in the beaker surrounding the seed. Increasing the volume of water added to the filter paper increases the humidity. awn filter paper seed head 250 cm3 beaker material to hold seed in place Petri dish Fig. 3.2 , ,

(a) State two variables the student would need to standardise for the investigation using the apparatus shown in Fig. 3.2 [2]

(b) Outline a method the student could use to measure the effect of different levels of humidity on the appearance of the awn, using the apparatus in Fig. 3.2.

Do not include standardised variables from (a) or a risk assessment [3]

[Total: 5] , ,