Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2024 Biology Question 1

Practice practical question 1 from the 2024 Igcse Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination. This question covers Cell Structure, Microscopy, Cell size and shape .

Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2024 Biology Practical
Topics: Cell Structure Microscopy Cell size and shape
Question 1 IGCSE_MODEL_QUESTIONS_VOL1 • 2024 • BIOLOGY • practical

A student investigates the size and shape of epidermal cells of an onion (Allium cepa) leaf using a light microscope. The slide is prepared by peeling a thin layer of epidermis, staining with iodine solution and observing at 400× magnification. The student records the length and width of ten cells (in µm) as shown in the table below. | Cell | Length (µm) | Width (µm) | |------|-------------|------------| | 1 | 45 | 20 | | 2 | 48 | 22 | | 3 | 50 | 21 | | 4 | 46 | 19 | | 5 | 49 | 20 | | 6 | 47 | 21 | | 7 | 51 | 22 | | 8 | 44 | 20 | | 9 | 48 | 19 | |10 | 50 | 21 | Using this data, answer the following questions.

Question Parts

( a )
Calculate the mean length and the mean width of the ten cells. Give your answers to one decimal place (µm).
( b )
Assuming each cell is a rectangular prism whose thickness equals the mean width, estimate the average cell volume in µm³.
( c )
Calculate the surface area to volume ratio (SA:V) of the average cell. Express your answer in µm⁻¹ and give it to two decimal places.
( d )
Explain two reasons why a high surface‑area‑to‑volume ratio is advantageous for plant epidermal cells.

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This is Igcse Model Questions Vol1 2024 Biology Question 1. It is one of the practical questions from the 2024 Igcse Model Questions Vol1 Biology examination.

The question covers Cell Structure, Microscopy, Cell size and shape .

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