Question 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a
| Date | May 2023 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 7] | Reference code | 23M.2.SL.TZ1.a |
| Level | SL | Paper | 2 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Describe | Question number | a | Adapted from | N/A |
Describe how plants are named and classified, including recognition features of plant phyla.
[7]
- binomial naming
OR
genus and species name; - plants constitute a kingdom
- plants are eukaryotes/belong to the domain eukaryota
- classified using a hierarchy of taxa
OR
kingdom, phylum, class, order, family, genus, species - bryophyta/filicinophyta/coniferophyte/angiospermophyta is a phylum (of plants);
- bryophytes have only rhizoids/spores (produced in a capsule)/no roots/ no vascular tissue;
- filicinophytes have stems/roots/xylem-phloem/reproduce by spores/leaves that uncurl; but no seeds
- coniferophytes have seeds in cones/ vascular tissue/xylem-phloem/cambium/ but no flowers/no fruits
- angiospermophytes have flowers/produce seeds/produce fruits/vascular tissue/xylem-phloem;
- named example showing of the classification of a plant from species to domain or vice versa
-
cladistics is used to reclassify groups of plants
OR
named example of a group of plants reclassified by cladistics; - use a dichotomous key to discriminate among plant features
Each phylum of plants requires at least 2 features for the mark.
Mp-e does not require all 4 phyla to be named.
The most challenging part of the question was (a). Although successful candidates characterized the 4 phyla with examples, many did not seem to realize that this component was expected of the question. Most answers contained information about binomial nomenclature and some answers included the divisions in the hierarchy. There was virtually no mention of cladistics. A few candidates wrote about animals. If candidates had paid attention to the number of marks expected, they might have included more information and earned more of the marks.
