Home > Subjects > Biology > Level 2 > 2.7 Diversity in plants > Key tips
- Subject: Biology
- AS: AS90463
- Level: 2
- Credits: 3
- External
Biology 2.7 Describe diversity in the structure and function of plants
Key tips
- Diagrams that are clearly and appropriately labelled are a good way to describe diversity in the structure and function of plants.
- Practise writing paragraphs that express biological ideas and processes clearly. This is not an essay-style standard and preparing essay-style answers disadvantages candidates because the answers are then not precise enough. Familiarise yourself with previous exam questions as to what is required.
- Common errors in the past have included:
- misunderstanding of the meanings of terms, such as pollen, spore, seed, gametophyte, and sporophyte
- misunderstanding the fundamental differences between the processes of wind pollination and insect pollination
- poor explanation of a biological function, for example, do not say 'the purpose of a waxy cuticle is to keep the rain out'
- generalisations, for example, do not write a general statement like 'dicotyledons are shade plants'.
- If the plants you choose live in similar environments, it will be difficult to find a lot of contrast to write about. For your assessment, choose plant groups that live in very different environmental conditions.
- When describing the structures or features of plants it is better to list what features they do have, rather than what they do not have. A diagram may give added-value to your understanding.
- Be very specific about the types of conditions the plant lives in. Terms such as 'suitable' or 'appropriate conditions' are not accurate enough to gain Achievement.
- If you make a comparison between groups of plants, make sure you describe the structure and function of the same feature of each plant. For example, if you discuss features of light for one plant, then you must discuss features of light for the other plants.
- Check out the Biology 2.7 Diversity in Plants questions thread in the forums as many students have posted their information and been given valuable feedback from the biology teachers.
