EXPERIMENT NO.

16

2 M1 is a slide of a stained transverse section through a plant leaf.

(a) (i) Draw a large plan diagram of the region of the leaf on M1 indicated by the shaded area
in Fig. 2.1.

Use a sharp pencil.

draw this region

Fig. 2.1

Use one ruled label line and label to identify the palisade tissue.
uglem
yem
#

⑧ O 8 ⑧
#

[5]
(ii) Observe the cells in the upper epidermis on the section of the leaf on M1.
Select a line of four adjacent epidermal cells.

Each cell must touch at least one of the other epidermal cells.

• Make a large drawing of this line of four epidermal cells.

• Use one ruled label line and label to identify the cell wall of one epidermal cell.

DDDD cell
wall

[4]
 (b) Fig. 2.2 is a photomicrograph of a stained transverse section of a different leaf from M1.

You are not expected to be familiar with this specimen.

Fig. 2.2

Identify three observable differences, other than colour, between the leaf section in Fig. 2.2
and the leaf section on M1.

Record these three observable differences in Table 2.1.

Table 2.1

feature Fig. 2.2 M1

Crescent round
shape of vascular bundle

Vascular bundles
of
Number Less more

Trichome present absent

[4]
(c) Fig. 2.3 shows a diagram of a stage micrometer scale that is being used to calibrate an
eyepiece graticule.

The length of one division on this stage micrometer is 1.0 mm.

0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

Fig. 2.3

(i) Use Fig. 2.3 to calculate the actual length of one eyepiece graticule unit.

Show your working and give your answer in micrometres (μm).

Micrometer
EPG P S
tage
80 div · I div
X

Lepg
a R

0 025 divx 1
Lepg : Omm
.
.

025mm or 25mm
Lepg
: 0 .

25
actual length = ......................................................... μm
[3]
 Fig. 2.4 is the same photomicrograph as that shown in Fig. 2.2. This was taken using the
same microscope and eyepiece graticule as in Fig. 2.3.

The eyepiece graticule scale has been placed across the midrib of the leaf section.

0
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 ---

A - -

45
epg

Fig. 2.4

(ii) Use the calibration of the eyepiece graticule unit from (c)(i) to calculate the actual
thickness of the midrib of the leaf section in Fig. 2.4.

Show your working and use appropriate units.

25
Lepg : um

45 H
epg
:

1185 um
actual thickness of the midrib of the leaf section = .......................................................... [1]

(iii) Suggest a possible function of the structure labelled A in Fig. 2.4.

water
Traps vapour
...........................................................................................................................................

Reduces transpiration
...........................................................................................................................................

lany one
..................................................................................................................................... [1]

[Total: 18]