The effect of light on germination of seeds

Q1 Experiments have shown that one wavelength of light seems to inhibit germination. Suggest a reason why light-sensitive seeds will germinate in white light (this contains all wavelengths). Q2 Which form of phytochrome is required for germination by light-sensitive seeds such as Coleus, lettuce and feverfew? Q3 Suggest a reason why light-sensitive seeds are almost always very tiny, and conversely why seeds needing darkness (such as peas) are usually larger. Q4 Why do you think that seed packets recommend specific planting depths for seeds? Q5 Describe how you could extend this experiment to test the hypothesis The final flash of light experienced by a germinating seed is the decisive factor.

gel electrophoresis
Q1 The restriction enzymes in the coloured tubes are suspended in a buffer solution. Why is this important? Q2 Why are the reaction tubes containing enzyme and DNA incubated at 37 C? Q3 Do the DNA fragments move towards the anode (positive electrode) or the cathode (negative electrode)? Q4 What is the charge on a DNA fragment? Q5 At which end of the gel are the smallest DNA fragments? Explain your answer. Q6 How does the unrestricted DNA in track one differ from the restricted DNA in track two? Q7 On Figure 2: a circle any fragments of the EcoRI single digest that do not have a BamHI recognition site b circle any fragments in the double digest that have been produced as a result of the DNA being cut by one enzyme and then the other enzyme.

Figure 2

Muscles
Q1 a Describe the texture of the tendon. b Relate the tendons texture to their role in the joint. Q2 What is the role of synovial fluid? How does the texture of synovial fluid help in this role? Q3 a What is the role of the fibrous joint capsule? b If a joint possesses a capsule, what further information does this give you about the joint? Q4 What do you think is meant by articulating surfaces? Q5 Describe the appearance and texture of the cartilage. Q6 Why are ligaments slightly elastic?

Answers
Q1 Red light is more effective at converting the phytochrome than far-red light. In white light more Pr is converted to the Pfr form, and germination is triggered. Q2 Pfr Q3 Light-sensitive seeds must be close to the surface to receive the light needed to trigger germination. Therefore they do not require a large food store to grow and reach the soil surface before making their own food by photosynthesis. Seeds that need darkness are often larger. This is because they need to be deeper in the soil, and so need greater food reserves in order to produce a long shoot to break the soil surface. Q4 The planting depth may be related to the degree of light exposure that a seed requires for germination. It

may also be linked to temperature; if the seeds are planted early in the year, deeper planting may protect them from frost. Q5 Students may suggest an experiment similar to the one described on the activity sheet, where the seeds are exposed to the two lights several times alternately, with one set of seeds having a final flash of red, and another set the final flash of far-red.

Q1 To keep the enzymes at their optimum pH. Q2 To keep the enzymes at their optimum temperature. Q3 Anode. Q4 Negative. Q5 End furthest from the wells the smaller fragments can travel more quickly through the gel. Q6 The unrestricted DNA shows a single fragment that has not moved very far from the wells. The restricted sample contains some uncut DNA, plus two smaller fragments produced by a single cut to the DNA. Q7.

Q8 SmaI cuts lambda DNA in three places to give fragments with lengths of 19 399, 12 220, 8612 and 8271. Note that the EcoRI fragment lengths are 21 226, 7421, 5804, 5643, 4878 and 3530.

Q1 a Tough and non-elastic. b The contraction of muscle pulls bone. Tendons join muscle to bone. Non-elastic tendons allow the full transmission of the force of the muscle to the bone. If tendons were elastic, the tendon would stretch when a muscle pulled on it, and the bone would not move or not move as much. Q2 Synovial fluid acts as a shock absorber, and as a lubricant to reduce friction between the bones of the

joint. It is thick and viscous; this makes it hard to compress, and therefore good at absorbing shocks. It is also very slimy which makes it a good lubricant. Q3 a The fibrous joint capsule contains the synovial fluid. b A capsule tells you that it must be a moveable synovial joint. Q4 Articulating surfaces are the points of contact between bones. They fit together closely, but do not normally touch due to synovial fluid within the joint capsule. The degree of movement at a joint is determined by the shape of the articulating surfaces. Q5 The cartilage is very white and very shiny. It is very smooth and reasonably firm, but not as hard as bone. Q6 Ligaments must be slightly elastic to allow some movement of bones around a joint.