1
LIFE SCIENCES GRADE 11
Total
30
Practical Task Term 1 2023: Plant Biodiversity
Date: _____________________________________
Name: ___________________________________
Duration: 30 minutes
INSTRUCTIONS TO LEARNERS:
Read the following instructions carefully before answering the questions.
1. This is a formal SBA task and needs to be done under supervised conditions in the
classroom.
2. Each learner completes this task on his/her own (under test conditions).
3. Present your answers per the instructions of each question.
4. Draw all diagrams in pencil and labels in blue ink.
5. The diagrams in this task may NOT be drawn to scale.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Biodiversity in general, refers to the wide variety of plants, animals and micro-organisms
on Earth. All plants are thought to have evolved from simple unicellular algae.
Four major plant groups exist namely:
1. Division Bryophyta
2. Division Pteridophyta
3. Division Gymnospermae
4. Division Angiospermae
The four groups (divisions) of plants belong to the Kingdom Plantae. They have the
following in common:
1. multicellular
2. eukaryotic (cells have a membrane bound nucleus)
3. cell walls are made of cellulose
4. most are autotrophic and have chloroplasts for photosynthesis
5. a life cycle involving two generations: a diploid, spore producing generation
called a sporophyte and a haploid, gamete producing generation called a
gametophyte – referred to as an alternation of generation
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QUESTION 1
The diagram below shows the evolutionary history of plants.
1.1 Name the type of diagram shown above. (1)
1.2 What does the type of diagram mentioned in QUESTION 1.1
illustrate? (2)
1.3 From the diagram identify the…
a) common ancestor of all the species in existence today. (1)
b) the plant divisions that emerged about 360 mya. (2)
c) the characteristic that evolved about 420 mya. (1)
d) the oldest vascular plants. (1)
3
1.4 Name ONE structural characteristic that all other land plants have
that bryophytes don’t have. (1)
1.5 Give TWO examples of bryophytes from the diagram. (2)
(11)
QUESTION 2
An investigation was conducted to determine seed dispersal effectiveness of
birds in South Africa, based on their preference for red and black fruit. These
fruits are eaten by birds and in so doing, they assist in seed dispersal. Birds
appear to choose fruits based on colour.
The procedure for the investigation was as follows:
● 10 birds of each species were captured and housed in separate cages
of equal size
● Each bird was presented with an identical single petri dish containing
four pieces of fresh berries, two red and two black
● The first choice of fruit colour made by the bird was recorded
The results are shown in the table below:
Bird species Number of birds that Number of birds that
chose red berries chose blackberries
Mouse bird 10 0
Red-winged starling 5 5
Green pigeon 7 3
Knysna loerie 8 2
2.1 Name the:
a) independent variables. (2)
b) dependent variable. (1)
2.2 Identify TWO factors that were kept constant in this investigation. (2)
2.3 State how the investigators ensured the reliability of the results. (1)
2.4 Give ONE other way in which investigators could have increased the
reliability of the results. (1)
2.5 Calculate the percentage of birds that preferred red fruit. Show ALL
working. (3)
2.6 State a conclusion based on this investigation. (2)
(12)
QUESTION 3
4
Tabulate THREE differences between the mode of reproduction in pteridophytes
and angiosperms. (7)
TOTAL: 30
