A student compared the number of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 6
A student compared the number of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf.
She completed a leaf peel as shown in Figure 12.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:A student compared the number of stomata on the upper and lower surfaces of a leaf - Edexcel - GCSE Biology Combined Science - Question 6 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Identify the surfaces to compare
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Answer
The student should first clearly identify the upper surface (adaxial) and the lower surface (abaxial) of the leaf. This differentiation is crucial for accurate stomatal analysis.
Step 2
Prepare the leaf peel
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The student should carefully peel a thin layer of the leaf to expose the stomata. This helps in direct observation under a microscope.
Step 3
Count the stomata
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Using a microscope, the student should systematically observe both the upper and lower surfaces of the prepared leaf peel and count the number of stomata. Ensure that a specific area is marked to achieve consistency in counting.
Step 4
Record and compare results
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Finally, the counted numbers of stomata from both surfaces should be recorded and compared to draw a conclusion about any differences in stomatal density.
