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Figure 2 shows a banana plantation - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 2
Figure 2 shows a banana plantation. After the bananas have been harvested, the old plants are cut down. The suckers then develop into mature plants producing the n... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 2 shows a banana plantation - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 2 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant.
Answer
A meristem serves several key functions in plant growth:
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Undifferentiated Cells: Meristematic cells are undifferentiated, meaning they have not specialized into a particular cell type. This allows them to take on various roles in plant development.
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Cell Division: These meristematic cells have the ability to divide by mitosis, which is crucial for increasing the number of cells in the plant. This process enables the plant to grow in size.
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Differentiation: The cells produced can differentiate into specialized cell types as needed for various functions such as forming roots, stems, and leaves.
Step 2
Describe how the student would prepare a microscope slide using these cells.
Answer
To prepare a microscope slide using cells from a meristem, the student would follow these steps:
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Sample Collection: The student would take a small sample from the meristem using a sterile scalpel to ensure no contamination occurs.
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Slide Preparation: The sample would then be placed on a clean microscope slide.
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Adding a Drop of Water: A drop of water would be added to the plant sample to keep the cells hydrated and to allow for clearer observation.
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Cover Slip Application: A cover slip would be gently placed over the sample to avoid air bubbles, which could obstruct the view.
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Observation: Finally, the prepared slide would be placed under the microscope for observation, enabling the student to examine the characteristics of the meristematic cells.