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Figure 2 shows a banana plantation - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Question 3
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 ne... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Figure 2 shows a banana plantation - Edexcel - GCSE Biology - Question 3 - 2020 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe the function of a meristem in the growth of a plant.
Answer
Meristems are specialized tissues in plants that are responsible for growth. They contain undifferentiated cells, which means these cells can divide and produce more cells. This process occurs through mitosis, allowing the plant to grow in length and develop new organs such as leaves and flowers.
Step 2
Describe how the student would prepare a microscope slide using these cells.
Answer
To prepare a microscope slide from the meristem cells, the student should take the following steps:
- Obtain a thin section of the cells from the meristem using a sharp blade or scalpel. This helps to ensure that the cells are thin enough for light to pass through.
- Add a stain to the cells on the slide to enhance visibility under the microscope. This could involve using a staining solution that binds to certain parts of the cells, highlighting structures such as the nucleus.
- Place a coverslip over the sample to minimize movement and flatten the sample, ensuring the light can penetrate evenly.
Step 4
Step 5
Describe how a prokaryotic cell is different from the cell in Figure 3.
Answer
Prokaryotic cells differ from eukaryotic cells in several ways. Firstly, prokaryotic cells do not have a nucleus; their genetic material is found in the cytoplasm. Additionally, they lack membrane-bound organelles, such as mitochondria and chloroplasts, and their DNA is typically circular or exists as plasmids. Finally, prokaryotic cells are usually smaller and simpler in structure compared to eukaryotic cells.