OCR General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Biology Practice Exam

Which of the following is a factor affecting plant distribution?

1. Wind speed

2. Temperature

3. Noise pollution

4. Surface area of leaves

The correct answer is: Temperature

Temperature is a critical factor affecting plant distribution because it influences various physiological processes within plants, including photosynthesis, respiration, and growth rates. Different plant species have specific temperature ranges within which they thrive. For instance, some species are adapted to cold climates, while others prefer warmer conditions. If the temperature in a given area falls outside these ranges, it can limit the survival and reproduction of certain plants, thus influencing their distribution. Other factors like wind speed can affect plant growth and morphology but do not primarily dictate where a plant species can survive. Noise pollution generally impacts animal behavior rather than direct plant physiology or distribution. The surface area of leaves can influence water loss and photosynthesis efficiency but is more a characteristic of a plant rather than an environmental factor affecting distribution broadly.