International A Level Biology / Plant structure and function

Core practical 8: tensile strength of plant fibres

Edexcel International A Level Biology (YBI11), chapter 10: Plant structure and function, specification point 4.9. Part of the full course.

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Tensile strength is the maximum pulling force per unit cross-sectional area a material can withstand before it breaks. Measuring it fairly means controlling the test, using repeats, and dividing each fibre’s breaking force by its cross-sectional area.

More lessons in Plant structure and function

• Cellulose and the plant cell wall
• Plant cell ultrastructure
• Xylem, phloem and sclerenchyma
• Plant fibres, starch and sustainability
• Core practical 7: plan diagrams of roots, stems and leaves
• Water, nitrate, calcium and magnesium
• Investigating plant mineral deficiencies
• Conditions for bacterial growth and plant antimicrobials
• Core practical 9: antimicrobial plants and aseptic technique
• From digitalis soup to three-phase trials