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Homeostasis and ResponsePhototropismGravitropismPlant responses

AQA GCSE · Question 03.2.2 · Homeostasis and Response

Figure 5Experiment 1ShootSeedDampcotton woolLightExperiment 2Light-proofcardboardbox

Which diagram shows what the seedling in Experiment 2 would look like after 12 hours?

Answer options:

A.

<svg width='100' height='120' viewBox='0 0 100 120'><ellipse cx='50' cy='110' rx='40' ry='10' fill='#f0e6d2'/><path d='M 50,100 C 60,80 70,60 75,40' stroke='green' stroke-width='3' fill='none'/><circle cx='50' cy='105' r='4' fill='brown'/></svg>

B.

<svg width='100' height='120' viewBox='0 0 100 120'><ellipse cx='50' cy='110' rx='40' ry='10' fill='#f0e6d2'/><path d='M 50,100 C 50,80 50,60 50,40' stroke='green' stroke-width='3' fill='none'/><circle cx='50' cy='105' r='4' fill='brown'/></svg>

C.

<svg width='100' height='120' viewBox='0 0 100 120'><ellipse cx='50' cy='110' rx='40' ry='10' fill='#f0e6d2'/><path d='M 50,100 C 40,80 30,60 25,40' stroke='green' stroke-width='3' fill='none'/><circle cx='50' cy='105' r='4' fill='brown'/></svg>

D.

<svg width='100' height='120' viewBox='0 0 100 120'><ellipse cx='50' cy='110' rx='40' ry='10' fill='#f0e6d2'/><path d='M 50,100 C 50,120 50,140 50,160' stroke='green' stroke-width='3' fill='none'/><circle cx='50' cy='105' r='4' fill='brown'/></svg>

How to approach this question

Experiment 2 places the seedling in a light-proof box, so there is no directional light stimulus. In the absence of light, the shoot will still grow upwards due to negative gravitropism (growing away from gravity). Select the diagram that shows the shoot growing straight up.

Full Answer

B.<svg width='100' height='120' viewBox='0 0 100 120'><ellipse cx='50' cy='110' rx='40' ry='10' fill='#f0e6d2'/><path d='M 50,100 C 50,80 50,60 50,40' stroke='green' stroke-width='3' fill='none'/><circle cx='50' cy='105' r='4' fill='brown'/></svg>✓ Correct
The diagram showing the seedling growing straight up.
In Experiment 2, the seedling is in a light-proof box, meaning it is in complete darkness. Without a directional light source, phototropism will not occur. The shoot will instead respond to gravity, showing negative gravitropism (or geotropism), which means it grows upwards, away from the pull of gravity. Therefore, the seedling will grow straight up.

Common mistakes

✗ Choosing the diagram for Experiment 1 (bending towards light). ✗ Thinking the plant won't grow at all without light. It will grow upwards initially using energy stores from the seed.
03.2.1All questions03.3

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