Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on B3.

2 Transport in
Plants (IB Biology SL)
1. General Concepts of Plant Transport

1. Why do plants need a transport system?

A. To distribute oxygen for cellular respiration
B. To transport water, minerals, and sugars efficiently
C. To absorb carbon dioxide from the air
D. To increase photosynthesis
2. Which vascular tissue transports sugars?
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Stomata
D. Cuticle
3. What is the main function of xylem?
A. Transport of sugars
B. Transport of water and minerals
C. Storage of carbohydrates
D. Regulation of gas exchange
4. Which of the following is NOT part of the vascular tissue system?
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Cambium
D. Stomata

2. Structure and Function of Xylem

5. Why are xylem vessels dead at maturity?

A. To allow for rapid diffusion
B. To enable active transport of minerals
C. To form a continuous hollow tube for water transport
D. To provide oxygen for photosynthesis
6. What is the function of lignin in xylem?
A. It prevents the collapse of xylem vessels under tension
B. It transports water molecules actively
C. It stores carbohydrates for future use
D. It opens and closes stomata
7. How does water move up the xylem?
A. By osmosis alone
B. By active transport
C. By transpiration pull, cohesion, and adhesion
D. By diffusion
8. Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting xylem transport?
A. Transpiration rate
B. Cohesion and adhesion
 C. Root pressure
D. Photosynthetic rate

3. Transpiration and Water Loss

9. What is transpiration?
A. The movement of sugars through phloem
B. The loss of water vapor from plant surfaces, mainly through stomata
C. The active uptake of minerals by roots
D. The storage of starch in roots
10. Which environmental factor increases transpiration?
A. High humidity
B. Low temperature
C. Strong wind
D. Darkness
11. What happens to stomata when guard cells gain water?
A. They close
B. They open
C. They become inactive
D. They transport sugars
12. How do xerophytes reduce water loss?
A. By increasing the number of stomata
B. By having sunken stomata and thick cuticles
C. By absorbing water through leaves
D. By reducing the lignin content in xylem
13. What is the main function of guard cells?
A. To absorb water from the soil
B. To regulate stomatal opening and closing
C. To transport minerals
D. To produce sugars

4. Structure and Function of Phloem

14. What is the primary function of phloem?

A. Transporting water
B. Transporting sugars and amino acids
C. Storing oxygen
D. Absorbing carbon dioxide
15. Which of the following structures is found in phloem but not in xylem?
A. Sieve plates
B. Lignin
C. Tracheids
D. Companion cells
16. How do sieve tube elements differ from xylem vessels?
A. They are dead at maturity
B. They transport sugars instead of water
 C. They contain lignin for strength
D. They have no end walls
17. What is the role of companion cells in phloem?
A. To carry out photosynthesis
B. To support sieve tube elements by providing energy for transport
C. To store water
D. To create root pressure

5. Translocation and the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis

18. What is translocation in plants?

A. The movement of water in the xylem
B. The movement of sugars in the phloem
C. The uptake of minerals by root hairs
D. The evaporation of water through stomata
19. According to the pressure-flow hypothesis, how is sugar transported in the phloem?
A. By simple diffusion
B. By active transport at the source and passive transport at the sink
C. By osmosis alone
D. By root pressure
20. What is an example of a source in translocation?
A. A growing fruit
B. A mature leaf
C. A root tuber
D. A dormant seed
21. What is an example of a sink in translocation?
A. A mature leaf
B. A fully expanded stem
C. A developing fruit
D. A stoma

6. Root Pressure and Water Uptake

22. What is root pressure?

A. A passive process that moves water upward
B. The active accumulation of minerals in the roots that draws in water
C. The opening and closing of stomata
D. A force created by wind that helps move water
23. How do root hairs increase water uptake?
A. By increasing surface area for absorption
B. By actively pumping oxygen into the soil
C. By storing excess water for later use
D. By carrying out photosynthesis
24. How do minerals enter root cells?
A. By diffusion
B. By active transport
 C. By osmosis
D. By facilitated diffusion

7. Adaptations of Plants in Different Environments

25. How are xerophytes adapted to reduce transpiration?

A. They have thin leaves with many stomata
B. They have thick cuticles and rolled leaves
C. They have large air spaces in their tissues
D. They have highly permeable cuticles
26. How do hydrophytes adapt to waterlogged environments?
A. By having deep roots for water absorption
B. By having stomata on the upper surface of leaves
C. By reducing the number of stomata
D. By closing stomata permanently
27. What is the function of large air spaces in hydrophytes?
A. To reduce transpiration
B. To store water
C. To provide buoyancy and gas exchange
D. To prevent bacterial infections

8. Environmental Effects on Transpiration

28. How does high humidity affect transpiration?

A. It increases transpiration
B. It decreases transpiration
C. It has no effect
D. It causes xylem to collapse
29. What is the effect of high wind speed on transpiration?
A. It increases transpiration by removing humid air
B. It decreases transpiration by lowering temperature
C. It has no effect on transpiration
D. It prevents transpiration by closing stomata
30. How does an increase in temperature affect transpiration?
A. It increases the rate of transpiration
B. It decreases transpiration
C. It prevents water loss by closing stomata
D. It has no effect
Short Structured Questions (5 Marks Each)
1. Water Transport in Xylem

a) What is the main function of the xylem? (1 mark)

b) How does transpiration help in the movement of water in xylem? (2 marks)
c) Why is lignin important in xylem vessels? (2 marks)

2. Structure and Function of Phloem

a) What is the main function of phloem? (1 mark)

b) Name two types of phloem cells and describe their roles. (2 marks)
c) How do sieve plates assist in sugar transport? (2 marks)

3. Root Adaptations for Water Uptake

a) What is the function of root hairs? (1 mark)

b) How does osmosis contribute to water uptake in roots? (2 marks)
c) How do minerals enter root cells? (2 marks)

4. Factors Affecting Transpiration

a) How does light intensity affect transpiration? (1 mark)

b) Why does low humidity increase transpiration? (2 marks)
c) How does closing stomata help plants conserve water? (2 marks)

5. Adaptations of Plants in Extreme Environments

a) What are two adaptations of xerophytes to prevent water loss? (2 marks)

b) Why do hydrophytes have large air spaces in their tissues? (1 mark)
c) How do sunken stomata reduce transpiration? (2 marks)

Extended Response Questions (15 Marks Each)

1. Water Transport in Plants

a) Explain how water moves from the roots to the leaves in plants. (7 marks)
b) Describe how cohesion, adhesion, and transpiration work together in the movement of
water. (8 marks)

2. Phloem Transport and the Source-to-Sink Model

a) Describe the source-to-sink model of phloem transport. (7 marks)

b) Explain the role of active transport in phloem loading and unloading. (8 marks)

3. Transpiration and Stomatal Control

a) Explain how environmental factors influence the rate of transpiration. (7 marks)
b) How do guard cells regulate stomatal opening and closing? (8 marks)

4. Adaptations of Plants to Dry and Wet Environments

a) Compare the structural adaptations of xerophytes and hydrophytes. (7 marks)

b) Explain how these adaptations help plants survive in extreme conditions. (8 marks)

5. The Importance of Mineral Transport in Plants

a) Explain why plants require mineral ions such as nitrates, phosphates, and potassium. (7
marks)
b) Describe how root pressure and active transport contribute to mineral uptake. (8 marks)

Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) on B3.2 Transport in

Plants (IB Biology SL)
1. General Concepts of Plant Transport

1. Why do plants need a transport system?

A. To distribute oxygen for cellular respiration
B. To transport water, minerals, and sugars efficiently
C. To absorb carbon dioxide from the air
D. To increase photosynthesis
2. Which vascular tissue transports sugars?
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Stomata
D. Cuticle
3. What is the main function of xylem?
A. Transport of sugars
B. Transport of water and minerals
C. Storage of carbohydrates
D. Regulation of gas exchange
4. Which of the following is NOT part of the vascular tissue system?
A. Xylem
B. Phloem
C. Cambium
D. Stomata

2. Structure and Function of Xylem

5. Why are xylem vessels dead at maturity?

A. To allow for rapid diffusion
B. To enable active transport of minerals
 C. To form a continuous hollow tube for water transport
D. To provide oxygen for photosynthesis
6. What is the function of lignin in xylem?
A. It prevents the collapse of xylem vessels under tension
B. It transports water molecules actively
C. It stores carbohydrates for future use
D. It opens and closes stomata
7. How does water move up the xylem?
A. By osmosis alone
B. By active transport
C. By transpiration pull, cohesion, and adhesion
D. By diffusion
8. Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting xylem transport?
A. Transpiration rate
B. Cohesion and adhesion
C. Root pressure
D. Photosynthetic rate

3. Transpiration and Water Loss

9. What is transpiration?
A. The movement of sugars through phloem
B. The loss of water vapor from plant surfaces, mainly through stomata
C. The active uptake of minerals by roots
D. The storage of starch in roots
10. Which environmental factor increases transpiration?
A. High humidity
B. Low temperature
C. Strong wind
D. Darkness
11. What happens to stomata when guard cells gain water?
A. They close
B. They open
C. They become inactive
D. They transport sugars
12. How do xerophytes reduce water loss?
A. By increasing the number of stomata
B. By having sunken stomata and thick cuticles
C. By absorbing water through leaves
D. By reducing the lignin content in xylem
13. What is the main function of guard cells?
A. To absorb water from the soil
B. To regulate stomatal opening and closing
C. To transport minerals
D. To produce sugars
4. Structure and Function of Phloem

14. What is the primary function of phloem?

A. Transporting water
B. Transporting sugars and amino acids
C. Storing oxygen
D. Absorbing carbon dioxide
15. Which of the following structures is found in phloem but not in xylem?
A. Sieve plates
B. Lignin
C. Tracheids
D. Companion cells
16. How do sieve tube elements differ from xylem vessels?
A. They are dead at maturity
B. They transport sugars instead of water
C. They contain lignin for strength
D. They have no end walls
17. What is the role of companion cells in phloem?
A. To carry out photosynthesis
B. To support sieve tube elements by providing energy for transport
C. To store water
D. To create root pressure

5. Translocation and the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis

18. What is translocation in plants?

A. The movement of water in the xylem
B. The movement of sugars in the phloem
C. The uptake of minerals by root hairs
D. The evaporation of water through stomata
19. According to the pressure-flow hypothesis, how is sugar transported in the phloem?
A. By simple diffusion
B. By active transport at the source and passive transport at the sink
C. By osmosis alone
D. By root pressure
20. What is an example of a source in translocation?
A. A growing fruit
B. A mature leaf
C. A root tuber
D. A dormant seed
21. What is an example of a sink in translocation?
A. A mature leaf
B. A fully expanded stem
C. A developing fruit
D. A stoma
6. Root Pressure and Water Uptake

22. What is root pressure?

A. A passive process that moves water upward
B. The active accumulation of minerals in the roots that draws in water
C. The opening and closing of stomata
D. A force created by wind that helps move water
23. How do root hairs increase water uptake?
A. By increasing surface area for absorption
B. By actively pumping oxygen into the soil
C. By storing excess water for later use
D. By carrying out photosynthesis
24. How do minerals enter root cells?
A. By diffusion
B. By active transport
C. By osmosis
D. By facilitated diffusion

7. Adaptations of Plants in Different Environments

25. How are xerophytes adapted to reduce transpiration?

A. They have thin leaves with many stomata
B. They have thick cuticles and rolled leaves
C. They have large air spaces in their tissues
D. They have highly permeable cuticles
26. How do hydrophytes adapt to waterlogged environments?
A. By having deep roots for water absorption
B. By having stomata on the upper surface of leaves
C. By reducing the number of stomata
D. By closing stomata permanently
27. What is the function of large air spaces in hydrophytes?
A. To reduce transpiration
B. To store water
C. To provide buoyancy and gas exchange
D. To prevent bacterial infections

8. Environmental Effects on Transpiration

28. How does high humidity affect transpiration?

A. It increases transpiration
B. It decreases transpiration
C. It has no effect
D. It causes xylem to collapse
29. What is the effect of high wind speed on transpiration?
A. It increases transpiration by removing humid air
B. It decreases transpiration by lowering temperature
 C. It has no effect on transpiration
D. It prevents transpiration by closing stomata
30. How does an increase in temperature affect transpiration?
A. It increases the rate of transpiration
B. It decreases transpiration
C. It prevents water loss by closing stomata
D. It has no effect

MCQ Answers for B3.2 Transport in Plants

1. General Concepts of Plant Transport

1. B. To transport water, minerals, and sugars efficiently

2. B. Phloem
3. B. Transport of water and minerals
4. D. Stomata

2. Structure and Function of Xylem

5. C. To form a continuous hollow tube for water transport

6. A. It prevents the collapse of xylem vessels under tension
7. C. By transpiration pull, cohesion, and adhesion
8. D. Photosynthetic rate

3. Transpiration and Water Loss

9. B. The loss of water vapor from plant surfaces, mainly through stomata
10. C. Strong wind
11. B. They open
12. B. By having sunken stomata and thick cuticles
13. B. To regulate stomatal opening and closing

4. Structure and Function of Phloem

14. B. Transporting sugars and amino acids

15. A. Sieve plates
16. B. They transport sugars instead of water
17. B. To support sieve tube elements by providing energy for transport
5. Translocation and the Pressure-Flow Hypothesis

18. B. The movement of sugars in the phloem

19. B. By active transport at the source and passive transport at the sink
20. B. A mature leaf
21. C. A developing fruit

6. Root Pressure and Water Uptake

22. B. The active accumulation of minerals in the roots that draws in water
23. A. By increasing surface area for absorption
24. B. By active transport

7. Adaptations of Plants in Different Environments

25. B. They have thick cuticles and rolled leaves

26. B. By having stomata on the upper surface of leaves
27. C. To provide buoyancy and gas exchange

8. Environmental Effects on Transpiration

28. B. It decreases transpiration

29. A. It increases transpiration by removing humid air
30. A. It increases the rate of transpiration