Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Unit 7 Living things and air
Quick check (p. 3)
Air is a mixture of gases. It contains:
nitrogen (78%),
oxygen (21%),
carbon dioxide (0.04%),
Practical 7.1 (p. 4)
Results
Oxygen Carbon dioxide Nitrogen
Colour of the gas
Colourless Colourless Colourless
(Step 2)
Smell of the gas
Odourless Odourless Odourless
(Step 3)
What happens to the
Burns more
burning splint Goes out Goes out
brightly
(Step 4)
What happens to the
glowing splint Relights Goes out Goes out
(Step 5)
What happens to the
hydrogencarbonate No change Turns yellow No change
indicator (Step 6)
What happens to the
No change Turns milky No change
lime water (Step 7)
Discussion
a Oxygen relights a glowing splint.
b Carbon dioxide turns hydrogencarbonate indicator from red to yellow / turns lime
water from colourless to milky.
c There is no suitable test for nitrogen.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.2 (p. 8)
Results
Colour of dry cobalt Colour of cobalt chloride paper after adding…
chloride paper water alcohol
Blue Pink Blue
Discussion
pink
Section exercise 7.1 (p. 13)
1 B
2 D
3 a The liquid contains water. (1)
b To prevent the dry cobalt chloride paper from absorbing water vapour in the
air. (1)
c No liquid is produced as dry ice turns to gas. / Dry ice can keep the ice cream
at a lower temperature. (1) (Or other reasonable answers)
d The lime water would turn milky. (1)
Key point (p. 17)
Plants make their own food by a process called photosynthesis. During the
process, they change carbon dioxide and water into food (glucose) using light
energy.
During photosynthesis, light energy is converted to chemical energy in food.
Word equation of photosynthesis:
carbon dioxide + water → food (glucose) + oxygen
6 CO 2 + 6 H 2 O → C 6 H 12 O6 + 6 O2
Glucose produced in plants during photosynthesis can be used immediately for
energy or stored as starch for later use.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.3 (p. 18)
Part I
Results
Original colour of Colour of iodine solution after mixing with…
iodine solution starch solution distilled water
Brown Blue-black Brown
Part II
Results
Before adding iodine solution After adding iodine solution
Colour of the leaf White / Pale green Blue-black
Discussion
Starch is present in the leaf.
Practical 7.4 (p. 21)
Aim
2 Gas bubbles are formed on the leaves.
Results
The glowing splint relights.
Discussion
The plant produced oxygen during photosynthesis.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.5 (p. 23)
Recording the results
Discussion
1 To ensure any starch detected at the end of the experiment is made during the
experiment.
2 To test for starch in the leaf to make sure that it is absent in the leaf.
3 In the iodine test, the exposed parts of the leaf turn blue-black while the wrapped
part remains brown. This shows that the exposed parts produced starch while the
wrapped part did not.
Drawing a conclusion
Light is necessary for photosynthesis.
Skill practice 7.1 (p. 26)
B
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.6 (p. 27)
Setting a question
Is chlorophyll necessary for photosynthesis?
Identifying variables
Carrying out the experiment
1 The plant has been destarched before the experiment.
2 Carry out iodine test to test for starch in the leaf.
5 Carry out iodine test to test for starch in the leaf. Draw a labelled diagram to
show the result of the test.
Recording the results
Discussion
1 The non-green part of the leaf is the control set-up. This is because this part does
not contain chlorophyll.
2 In the iodine test, the green part of the leaf turns blue-black while the non-green
part remains brown. This shows that the green part produced starch while the
non-green part did not.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Drawing a conclusion
Chlorophyll is necessary for photosynthesis .
Practical 7.7 (p. 29)
Setting a question
Is carbon dioxide necessary for photosynthesis?
Identifying variables
Carrying out the experiment
1
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Discussion
1 Leaf A. This is because there is no carbon dioxide in the air surrounding the leaf.
2 In the iodine test, leaf B turns blue-black while leaf A remains brown. This is
because leaf B is exposed to normal air which contains carbon dioxide and carries
out photosynthesis to produce starch. There is no carbon dioxide in the air
surrounding leaf A, so the leaf cannot carry out photosynthesis.
Drawing a conclusion
Carbon dioxide is necessary for photosynthesis.
Key point (p. 31)
Light , chlorophyll , carbon dioxide and water are the necessary factors for
photosynthesis.
Activity 7.1 (p. 33)
Food chain Tree → caterpillar → small bird → eagle
Producer Tree
Consumers Caterpillar, small bird, eagle
Key point (p. 33)
Plants are the producers and animals are the consumers in most food chains.
Key point (p. 33)
providing a source of energy through converting light energy to chemical energy;
supplying oxygen .
Section exercise 7.2 (p. 35)
1 F
2 F
3 T
4 a Put the plant in the dark for 24 hours. (1)
b To dissolve chlorophyll from the leaf cells so the colour change can be
observed. (1)
c The leaf would turn blue-black (1) because the plant carried out
photosynthesis and produced starch in the presence of light. (1)
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.8 (p. 36)
Discussion
When food is burnt, energy is released.
Key point (p. 38)
Living things break down food to release energy by respiration .
During respiration, some of the chemical energy stored in food is converted to
other useful forms of energy to support body activities.
food (glucose) + oxygen→ carbon dioxide + water
C 6 H 12 O6 + 6 O2→6 H 2 O + 6 H 2 O
Section exercise 7.3 (p. 39)
1 F
2 T
3 F
4
Photosynthesis Respiration
Reactants Carbon dioxide and water Food (glucose) and oxygen
Products Food (glucose) and oxygen Carbon dioxide and water
Energy Chemical energy in food to
Light energy to chemical
conversion other useful forms of
energy stored in food
involved energy
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.9 (p. 40)
Results
Colour of hydrogencarbonate indicator
Tube
At the beginning After five hours
A Red Purple
B Red Red
C Red Yellow
D Red Red
Discussion
1 They are control set-ups. They make sure the results in tubes A and C are caused
by the presence of the green leaves.
2 a The indicator in tube A turns purple while the indicator in tube B remains
red. This shows that under light conditions, the green leaves take in carbon
dioxide.
b The indicator in tube C turns yellow while the indicator in tube D remains
red. This shows that under dark conditions, the green leaves give out carbon
dioxide.
Practical 7.10 (p. 42)
Discussion
In flask A, the oxygen content increases. This shows that under light conditions, the
green leaves give out oxygen.
In flask B, the oxygen content decreases. This shows that under dark conditions, the
green leaves take in oxygen.
Key point (p. 44)
The net gas exchange in plants depends on the relative rates of photosynthesis
and respiration.
there is a net uptake of carbon dioxide and a net release of oxygen in plants.
there is a net release of carbon dioxide and a net uptake of oxygen in plants.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Practical 7.11 (p. 45)
2
Key point (p. 45)
Gas exchange in plants is mainly carried out through the stomata.
Section exercise 7.4 (p. 46)
1 F
2 T
3 a There is a net uptake of carbon dioxide (1) and a net release of oxygen in the
plant (1). The is because the rate of photosynthesis of the plant is higher than
that of respiration under light conditions. (1)
b Stoma. (1)
Practical 7.12 (p. 47)
Results
Colour of hydrogencarbonate indicator
Tube
At the beginning After one hour
A Red Yellow
B Red Red
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Discussion
1 Tube B is a control set-up. It makes sure the result in tube A is caused by the
presence of the mealworms.
2 The indicator in tube A turns yellow while the indicator in tube B remains red.
This shows that the mealworms give out carbon dioxide.
3 The mealworms in tube A carry out respiration. Carbon dioxide is produced
during the process.
Practical 7.13 (p. 48)
Discussion
The mealworms carry out respiration. They take in oxygen and give out carbon
dioxide. The carbon dioxide is absorbed by soda lime.
The decrease in oxygen inside the tube causes the gas pressure in the tube to
decrease. The pressure becomes lower than the atmospheric pressure. As a result,
the colour marker is pushed towards the boiling tube.
Practical 7.14 (p. 50)
Part II
Discussion
The candle burns for a longer time in the gas jar containing inhaled air. Since oxygen
supports burning, the results indicate that inhaled air contains more oxygen than
exhaled air.
Part III
Type of air Colour of hydrogen carbonate indicator
Inhaled air Red
Exhaled air Yellow
Discussion
The hydrogencarbonate indicator changes to yellow when it is shaken with the
exhaled air while its colour remains unchanged in the inhaled air. This indicates that
exhaled air contains more carbon dioxide than inhaled air.
Part IV
Results
a It remains blue in colour.
b It changes from blue to pink.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Discussion
Exhaled air contains more water vapour than inhaled air.
Activity 7.2 (p. 54)
2 a nasal cavity
b nostril
c trachea
d bronchus
e bronchiole
f air sac
g lung
h intercostal muscle
i rib
j diaphragm
Practical 7.15 (p. 56)
2 a Pink.
b There are many capillaries in the lungs. The capillaries contain blood.
3 spongy
4 increase
6 a floats
b Gas bubbles
c air
Key point (p. 57)
In humans, gas exchange takes place at the air sacs.
Key point (p. 58)
In the air sac, oxygen passes from the air sac into the blood in the capillaries. Carbon
dioxide passes from the blood in the capillaries into the air sac.
Key point (p. 59)
contains less oxygen;
contains more carbon dioxide;
contains more water vapour;
has a higher temperature.
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Quick check (p. 59)
1 F
2 T
Activity 7.3 (p. 61)
1 The ‘smoking’ pig lungs are darker than the ‘non-smoking’ pig lungs.
2 Some brown substance is present in the tissue of the ‘smoking’ pig lungs. It is not
found in the ‘non-smoking’ pig lungs.
3 The inner wall of the trachea of the ‘smoking’ pig lungs is darkened, while that of
the ‘non-smoking’ pig lungs is pink.
Section exercise 7.5 (p. 66)
1 F
2 F
3 T
4 a Air sac. (1)
b Oxygen enters blood in the capillaries. (1)
c Carbon dioxide in blood passes into the air sacs. (1)
It is removed from the air sacs when we breathe out. (1)
d Tar covers some surfaces of the air sacs. (1)
This reduces the efficiency of gas exchange. (1)
e It causes lung cancer / stomach cancer / stroke / bronchitis / heart diseases.
(Any two) (1×2) (Or other reasonable answers)
Key point (p. 69)
Living things carry out respiration. Plants carry out photosynthesis. These two
processes keep a balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in Nature.
Section exercise 7.6 (p. 75)
1 F
2 T
3 F
4 a Living things produce carbon dioxide during respiration. (1)
The carbon dioxide is absorbed by plants for photosynthesis. (1)
b Forest fires produce a lot of carbon dioxide. (1) This increases the carbon
dioxide level in the atmosphere which enhances the greenhouse effect. (1)
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Activity 7.4 (p. 80)
1 Burning hydrogen fuel does not produce air pollutants. This helps improve air
quality
2 Build more charging stations. / Provide subsidies for buying electric cars. (Or
other reasonable answers)
3 Use public transport instead of driving. / Travel on foot or by bicycle instead of
by cars for short journeys. (Or other reasonable answers)
Section exercise 7.7 (p. 81)
1 F
2 F
3 T
4 a (71 – 10) ÷ 10 (1)
= 6.1 times (1)
b Causeway Bay is in the urban area while Tap Mun is in the suburban area. (1)
The heavy traffic in Causeway Bay releases a large amount of exhaust gas
that contains nitrogen dioxide. (1)
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Unit exercise (p. 84)
A Multiple-choice questions
1 D 2 A 3 D 4 A 5 B
6 B
B True-or-false questions
1 T 2 F 3 T 4 F 5 F
C Structured questions
a i In the lungs. (1)
ii It allows the body to take in oxygen for respiration (1) and remove carbon
dioxide produced in respiration (1).
iii Arrow from air sac to capillary labelled ‘oxygen’ (1)
Arrow from capillary to air sac labelled ‘carbon dioxide’ (1)
iv Blood at X has a lower oxygen content (1) but a higher carbon dioxide
content than Y (1).
b It will be more difficult to bring oxygen into the air sacs and remove carbon
dioxide from the air sacs. (1) Gas exchange will be less efficient. (1)
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Textbook answers Book 2A Unit 7
Test your skills (p. 86)
1 D 2 D 3 A 4 B 5 D
6 C 7 B 8 C
9 a Set-up Y. (1)
This is because light (the factor under investigation) is absent in set-up Y.
b Hydrogencarbonate indicator in set-up X turns purple (1) because the plant
takes in more carbon dioxide for photosynthesis than it releases from
respiration (1).
Hydrogencarbonate indicator in set-up Y turns yellow (1) because the plant
only carries out respiration and gives out carbon dioxide (1).
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