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3 marksThe Uptake and Transport of Water and Minerals

CAPE Biology Unit 2 · May/June 2026 · Paper 2 · Question 2(b)(iii)

Plants absorb water and ions from the soil. These substances move across the root to the xylem to be transported to the leaves. Figure 6 is a schematic representation of three cells in a plant root.

Explain how water moves from the soil to Cell 3 in terms of water potential.

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Other parts of this question

  1. 2(a)(i)Name EACH of the following chambers shown in Figure 4.[3 marks]
  2. 2(a)(ii)In the space provided, draw a detailed drawing of the same size and proportion as the heart specimen shown in Figure 4 on page 10.[5 marks]
  3. 2(b)(i)Define the term 'transpiration'.[2 marks]
  4. 2(b)(ii)Using the data given in Figure 5, explain the effect of soil water availability on the transpiration rate of the plants investigated.[6 marks]
  5. 2(c)(i)Outline ONE characteristic of the Casparian strip that allows it to control the movement of water and ions into the xylem of a plant.[2 marks]
  6. 2(c)(ii)With reference to the data given, explain how changes in suberin levels in the root endodermis allow plants to adapt to environmental stresses such as low…[9 marks]

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