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C4.1.16—Predator-prey relationships

Predator-prey relationships explains how ecological evidence links organisms, resources and interactions to population size, distribution or community structure in a habitat.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Objective
C4.1.16
Level
HL

Exam analysis

Chance of appearing3%of analysed past papers
Latest appearanceMay 2019
Most common paperPaper3
Typical marks1–2

Common command terms

  • Identify
  • Compare
  • Describe
  • Predict
  • Explain
  • Contrast
  • Suggest
  • Determine

Scoring notes

Common mistake
Confusing a population with a community or with all organisms in an ecosystem.

Recent exam appearances

May 2019Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ26(a)(ii)[ 2 ]C4.1.16—Predator-prey relationships
May 2019Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ26(a)(i)[ 1 ]C4.1.16—Predator-prey relationships
May 2015Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ110(d)[ 2 ]C4.1.16—Predator-prey relationships
November 2014Paper3 ["HL"] · TZ01(d)[ 2 ]C4.1.16—Predator-prey relationships
Practice this objective

Coverage 2014–2019 · Updated 16 Jul 2026

Concept essentials

  • Predator-prey relationships must be linked to the correct ecological unit, method or species interaction.
  • The evidence for predator-prey relationships depends on measurable abundance, distribution, survival or resource patterns.
  • Predator-prey relationships is clearest when cause, ecological process and population outcome are kept distinct.
  • Field or graph evidence for predator-prey relationships needs biological interpretation, not values alone.
ConceptIB Biology HL