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IB Biology HL A3.1.12 Hl Difficulties with Biological Species Concept Questions

Explain why bacterial reproduction and gene exchange make the biological species concept difficult to apply.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Explain why the biological species concept does not apply cleanly to bacteria and other asexually reproducing organisms.
  • Use mutation, horizontal gene transfer, transformation and plasmids to explain why bacterial species boundaries are difficult to define.

IB Biology HL A3.1.12 Hl Difficulties with Biological Species Concept Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The gut of a healthy human contains more than 1000 species of bacteria. Some of these species are shown in the cladogram.

Figure for Question IB Biology HL A3.1.12 Hl Difficulties with Biological Species Concept Questions question 1 — IB Biology HL

Outline a difficulty in applying the biological species concept to bacteria.

One additional mark is available for the construction of your answers for each question.

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