Standard Science Primary 5 Systems

Tim removed a ring of the outer stem (bark) from a healthy plant, leaving the inner tubes intact. After a few weeks, he noticed a swelling ABOVE the cut. What caused this swelling?

A The plant was storing excess water.
B Water could not flow up to the leaves.
C Food made by the leaves could not flow down past the cut.
D The roots stopped absorbing nutrients.
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Worked Solution

Step 1: The outer ring of a plant stem contains the food-carrying tubes (phloem). Step 2: Removing this ring breaks the path for food traveling down from the leaves to the roots. Step 3: Food accumulates above the cut, causing the stem to swell.

Correct answer: Food made by the leaves could not flow down past the cut.

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