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. B — Bigger bodies have less surface area per unit volume and longer diffusion distances, so diffusion alone becomes too slow.

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

3. C — Xylem carries water and mineral ions, mainly upward from roots to shoots.

4. A — Transpiration from the leaf surface creates tension that helps pull water upward through xylem.

5. B — Phloem transports sugars and other organic solutes between source and sink tissues.

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

7. D — Stomata regulate gas exchange, but opening them also increases water loss.

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

9. B — Efficient exchange surfaces consistently maximise area, minimise distance, remain moist and maintain gradients.

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

11. D — Gills combine large surface area with strong gradients maintained by water and blood movement.

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