In the school greenhouse, students compare two climbing plants. Fig. 1 shows a microscope view of plant cell walls. The walls contain cellulose, a naturally...
Question 1 Report
In the school greenhouse, students compare two climbing plants. Fig. 1 shows a microscope view of plant cell walls. The walls contain cellulose, a naturally occurring polymer. A gardener uses cellulose-based twine to support beans because it can be composted after the growing season. The students must distinguish the polymer in the cell wall from starch, which is stored in some plant tissues as an energy source.
(a) Name the polymer in plant cell walls. [1]
(b) What is the main use of starch in a plant? [1]
(c) Explain why cellulose twine can be described as biodegradable. [2]
(d) Use the information to state one advantage of cellulose twine over a synthetic plastic twine after harvesting. [1]
Answer Details
(a) The polymer in plant cell walls is cellulose. [1 mark]
(b) Starch is an energy store in plants: it stores glucose units for later use. [1 mark]
(c) Cellulose twine is biodegradable because microorganisms can digest or break down cellulose. It is converted into simpler substances rather than remaining as persistent waste. [2 marks]
(d) After harvesting, cellulose twine can be composted, so it does not remain as long-lasting plastic waste. [1 mark]
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