Separate: Biology Only
Scientists investigate the effect of changing carbon dioxide concentration on the density of stomata of wheat plants.
They grow wheat plants from seed in different concentrations of carbon dioxide.
After three weeks, they take a leaf from each plant and calculate the mean density of stomata.
(i)
State the independent variable in this investigation.
(1)
(ii)
Give two abiotic variables that the scientists could control.
(2)
(iii)
To calculate the mean density of stomata, leaf sections are viewed with a microscope.
The number of stomata within six circular areas of the leaf are counted.
The results for one leaf are shown in the table.
Leaf area number |
Per number of stomata |
1 |
68 |
2 |
72 |
3 |
66 |
4 |
75 |
5 |
76 |
6 |
63 |
The radius of each circular area is 0.40 mm.
area of circle = πr2
[π = 3.14]
Calculate the mean density of stomata on the leaf surface. Give your answer in stomata per mm2.
(3)
(iv)
The investigation shows that in increased carbon dioxide concentrations there is a lower mean density of stomata.
The scientist concludes that in hot dry areas, with increased carbon dioxide concentrations, it would be an advantage for wheat to have a lower mean density of stomata.
Discuss the scientist’s conclusion.
(4)