AQA GCSE Biology Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024: Question 1
12 marks · Low Demand difficulty · Short Answer
Identify plant tissue structures, leaf adaptations for photosynthesis, xylem and phloem transport mechanisms, and cellular components involved in active transport.
Practise this questionQuestion
Question text
01 Plants are made of different tissues.
01.1 Which term describes a group of tissues working together?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Organ
Organism
Organ system
Figure 1 shows the tissues in a leaf.
Figure 1
01.2 Draw one line from each leaf tissue to an important feature of the tissue.
[2 marks]
Leaf tissue Feature
Contains many air spaces
Palisade mesophyll
Contains the most chloroplasts
Spongy mesophyll
Made of dead cells
01.3 Xylem tissue transports water to the leaves.
Which term describes the loss of water from the leaves?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Photosynthesis
Respiration
Transpiration
01.4 Which substance strengthens xylem tissue?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Glucose
Lignin
Starch 4
Figure 1 is repeated below.
Figure 1
01.5 The upper epidermis is transparent.
Explain why the upper epidermis needs to be transparent.
Use Figure 1.
[2 marks]
01.6 Complete the sentences.
Choose answers from the box.
[2 marks]
*04* chloroplasts guard cells meristems stomata
The pores in the lower epidermis of a leaf are called .
The opening and closing of the pores in the lower epidermis is controlled
by .
Figure 2 shows two cells from phloem tissue.
Figure 2
Figure 2 cannot be reproduced here due to third-party copyright restrictions.
It is a photograph showing two cells from phloem tissue from page numbers 111-120 of the
following publication:
Cytochemical Localization of Adenosine Triphosphatase in the Phloem of Pisum sativum
and its Relation to the Function of Transfer Cells, Planta Vol. 2 by B J Bentwood and J
Cronshaw
01.7 Part A in Figure 2 contains cell sap.
Name part A in Figure 2.
[1 mark]
Sugars move from cell Y into cell X against the concentration gradient.
Energy is needed to move sugars against the concentration gradient.
01.8 Which process moves sugars against the concentration gradient?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Active transport
*05* Diffusion
Osmosis
01.9 Which cell structures are needed to provide energy to move sugars?
[1 mark]
Tick ( ) one box.
Chloroplasts
Chromosomes
Mitochondria
Mark scheme
Show the mark scheme
Question 1
AO /
Question Answers Extra information Mark
Spec Ref.
01.1 organ 1 AO1
4.2.1
AO /
Question Answers Mark
Spec Ref.
01.2 AO2
4.2.3.1
do not accept more than one line from a box on the left
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.3 transpiration 1 AO1
4.2.3.2
4.2.3.1
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.4 lignin 1 AO1
4.2.3.2
4.1.1.3
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.5 (so) light can reach (palisade / allow (so) light can reach (other 1 AO2
spongy) mesophyll / lower) layers / tissues 4.2.3.1
allow (so) light can reach other / 4.4.1.1
lower cells
allow (so) light can reach
chloroplasts / chlorophyll
ignore (so) light can get through
for photosynthesis 1
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.6 must be in this order AO1
stomata 1 4.2.3.1
4.2.3.2
guard cells 1
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.7 (permanent) vacuole 1 AO1
4.1.1.2
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.8 active transport 1 AO1
4.1.3.3
AO /
Spec Ref.
01.9 mitochondria 1 AO1
4.1.1.2
4.1.3.3
Total Question 1 12
How to answer it
Plant Tissues, Leaf Adaptations & Transport
📋 What this question tests
This question assesses foundational knowledge across AQA Biology Paper 1 (Topics 1 & 2): levels of biological organisation, leaf cross-sectional anatomy and adaptations, plant transport vessels (xylem and phloem), the transpiration stream, cellular organelles, and mechanisms of transport across cell membranes (active transport vs. diffusion).
Levels of Organisation
Identifying the term for a group of tissues working together
✅ Correct Answer
Organ
💡 Key Knowledge
- Cell: Basic functional unit of life.
- Tissue: A group of similar cells working together (e.g. palisade mesophyll).
- Organ: A group of different tissues working together to perform specific functions (e.g. a leaf, stem, or root).
- Organ system: Organs working together (e.g. shoot system).
Leaf Tissue Adaptations
Matching leaf tissues to their structural features
✅ Correct Answers
- Palisade mesophyll → Contains the most chloroplasts
- Spongy mesophyll → Contains many air spaces
🧠 Exam Technique
The rubric says "Draw one line from each leaf tissue...". Never draw multiple lines from one box on the left, as the mark scheme instructs: "do not accept more than one line from a box on the left."
❌ Common Errors
Connecting spongy mesophyll to "Made of dead cells". Xylem vessels are made of dead cells, not mesophyll tissues!
Xylem and Transpiration
Water movement and xylem vessel structure
✅ Correct Answers
01.3: Transpiration [1 mark]
01.4: Lignin [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
- Transpiration: The loss of water vapour from the leaves by evaporation and diffusion through open stomata.
- Lignin: A waterproof, rigid polymer that lines and strengthens xylem vessels to withstand negative pressure and prevent collapse.
❌ Common Errors
Confusing transpiration (loss of water) with translocation (movement of dissolved sugars in phloem), or selecting cellulose/starch instead of lignin for xylem wall reinforcement.
Function of the Transparent Upper Epidermis
Explaining leaf layer adaptations using the diagram
✅ Correct Answer (2 distinct points needed)
- (So that) light can pass through / reach the palisade mesophyll (or chloroplasts / lower layers). [1 mark]
- For photosynthesis. [1 mark]
🧠 Exam Technique
This is an "Explain why..." question worth 2 marks. Point 1 must address where the light goes (to the palisade layer / chloroplasts). Point 2 must state the biological purpose of light (for photosynthesis).
❌ Common Errors
Simply writing "so light gets in" or "so light can pass through" without linking it to the cells underneath (palisade layer) or mentioning photosynthesis. The mark scheme explicitly states: ignore "light can get through" alone.
Stomata and Guard Cells
Completing sentences using the word box
✅ Correct Answers
The pores in the lower epidermis of a leaf are called stomata. [1 mark]
The opening and closing of the pores in the lower epidermis is controlled by guard cells. [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
- Stoma (singular) / Stomata (plural): Tiny pores predominantly located on the lower epidermis to minimise water loss.
- Guard cells: Swell (become turgid) to open the pore when water is abundant; shrink (become flaccid) to close the pore when water is scarce.
❌ Common Errors
Swapping the two terms around. Note the mark scheme condition: "must be in this order".
Phloem, Vacuoles & Active Transport
Cell organelles and transport mechanisms
✅ Correct Answers
- 01.7: (permanent) vacuole [1 mark]
- 01.8: Active transport [1 mark]
- 01.9: Mitochondria [1 mark]
💡 Key Knowledge
- Vacuole: Plant organelle containing cell sap (a dilute solution of sugars and salts).
- Active Transport: Moves substances against a concentration gradient (from low to high concentration) and requires metabolic energy (ATP).
- Mitochondria: Site of aerobic respiration, releasing the energy required for active transport.
🧠 Exam Clues in the Stem
Notice the clues in the question text: "against the concentration gradient" and "Energy is needed". This directly defines active transport. The organelle that provides this energy is the mitochondrion.
❌ Common Errors
- Writing "chloroplasts" for 01.9: Chloroplasts absorb light to make glucose; they do not release energy for cellular work.
- Saying energy is "produced" or "created" by mitochondria: always state energy is released by respiration.
Topics
Biology · B1: Cell Biology · B2: Organisation · B4: Bioenergetics
Question and mark scheme from the AQA GCSE Biology examination, Biology Paper 1 (Foundation), June 2024. QuestionVault is an independent revision resource; questions remain the copyright of the awarding body.