Biology Year 11 · Module 2 Checkpoint Quiz

Checkpoint Quiz 2

Covers Lessons 6–10: transport in animals and plants, movement of photosynthesis products, gas exchange in plants, and gas exchange in animals.

16 questions12 MC + 4 short answer
Lessons coveredL6 · L7 · L8 · L9 · L10
Suggested time20–25 minutes
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Section A, Multiple Choice

12 questions · 1 mark each

1. Large multicellular animals need internal transport systems because:

A
their cells cannot perform diffusion
B
surface area to volume ratio decreases and diffusion distances increase as size increases
C
oxygen cannot dissolve in tissue fluid
D
only plants can rely on diffusion

2. Which vessel type carries blood away from the heart and is adapted to withstand high pressure?

A
capillaries
B
veins
C
venules
D
arteries

3. The main function of xylem is to transport:

A
sugars from leaves to roots
B
oxygen to all plant cells
C
water and dissolved mineral ions mainly upward through the plant
D
carbon dioxide to the chloroplasts

4. Which process creates the main pulling force that drives water upward through xylem?

A
transpiration from the leaf surface
B
active pumping by phloem cells
C
photosynthesis in root hairs
D
respiration in guard cells

5. Phloem transport is best described as the movement of:

A
water only from roots to leaves
B
sugars and other organic solutes from sources to sinks
C
oxygen from leaves to roots through dead vessels
D
mineral ions only from roots to flowers

6. After photosynthesis, glucose is commonly converted to sucrose for transport because sucrose:

A
is stored permanently in chloroplasts
B
can move through xylem more easily than water
C
is a suitable transport sugar in phloem and can be moved from source tissues to sink tissues
D
contains nitrogen needed for amino acid synthesis

7. Stomata are important because they:

A
pump carbon dioxide into the leaf using ATP
B
store glucose produced by photosynthesis
C
replace the function of xylem in leaves
D
allow regulated gas exchange while also affecting water loss by transpiration

8. Guard cells cause stomata to open when they:

A
take up water, become turgid and bow apart
B
lose chloroplasts and collapse inward
C
become lignified and permanently rigid
D
actively secrete oxygen into the stomatal pore

9. Which combination gives the most efficient gas exchange surface?

A
small surface area, thick barrier, dry lining, weak concentration gradient
B
large surface area, thin barrier, moist lining, maintained concentration gradient
C
large surface area, thick barrier, active pumping of oxygen into blood
D
small surface area, thin barrier, dry lining, no ventilation

10. In insects, oxygen is delivered to tissues mainly through the:

A
haemolymph
B
xylem
C
tracheal system and tracheoles
D
veins and venules

11. Fish gills are effective gas exchange surfaces because they:

A
store oxygen in muscle before diffusion begins
B
use stomata to regulate water entry
C
depend on root pressure to move water across lamellae
D
have many lamellae for large surface area and maintain a strong diffusion gradient through water flow and blood flow

12. In mammals, alveoli are well adapted for gas exchange because they are:

A
numerous, thin-walled, moist and closely associated with capillaries
B
thick, muscular and lined with cilia
C
dry to reduce water loss during breathing
D
separated from blood by multiple cell layers for protection

Section B, Short Answer

4 questions · structure-function focus

13. Explain why large multicellular animals require both specialised gas exchange surfaces and a transport system. 4 MARKS

14. Compare xylem and phloem in terms of what they transport, the direction of transport and the structural features that help them perform their role. 4 MARKS

15. Describe two advantages and one trade-off of stomata opening during the day. 3 MARKS

16. A student says, “Fish gills and mammalian alveoli are completely different, so you cannot compare them.” Evaluate this statement. 4 MARKS

Answers, Section A

1. BBigger bodies have less surface area per unit volume and longer diffusion distances, so diffusion alone becomes too slow.

2. DArteries carry blood away from the heart under higher pressure and have thick, elastic, muscular walls.

3. CXylem carries water and mineral ions, mainly upward from roots to shoots.

4. ATranspiration from the leaf surface creates tension that helps pull water upward through xylem.

5. BPhloem transports sugars and other organic solutes between source and sink tissues.

6. CPlants commonly convert glucose to sucrose for phloem transport from sources such as leaves to sinks such as roots, fruits or growing tissues.

7. DStomata regulate gas exchange, but opening them also increases water loss.

8. AGuard cells become turgid when they take up water, causing the stomatal pore to open.

9. BEfficient exchange surfaces consistently maximise area, minimise distance, remain moist and maintain gradients.

10. CInsects use the tracheal system to deliver oxygen directly to tissues instead of transporting it mainly through haemolymph.

11. DGills combine large surface area with strong gradients maintained by water and blood movement.

12. AAlveoli are numerous, moist, one cell thick and closely associated with capillaries, making them excellent exchange surfaces.