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IB Biology HL B4.2 Ecological Niches Questions

Practise IB Biology HL B4.2 with population and community data questions on interactions, biodiversity, ecological change and sustainability.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • analyse population and community data using carrying capacity, interactions and ecological change
  • explain biodiversity patterns with sampling, succession and environmental evidence
  • evaluate ecosystem stability using abundance, distribution and sustainability data

Covered syllabus points

B4.2.1—Ecological nicheB4.2.2—Oxygen toleranceB4.2.3—Photosynthesis as nutrition modeB4.2.4—Holozoic nutritionB4.2.5—Mixotrophic nutritionB4.2.6—Saprotrophic nutritionB4.2.7—Diversity in archaeaB4.2.8—Dentition and diet in Family HominidaeB4.2.9—Herbivore and plant adaptationsB4.2.10—Predator and prey adaptationsB4.2.11—Plant form for light harvestingB4.2.12—Fundamental vs. realized nicheB4.2.13—Competitive exclusion

Learn this topic

Study B4.2 Ecological niches conceptsOpen the corresponding Concept lesson for explanations, examples and exam connections.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 4]

Question (a)

(a)

Explain the concept of an ecological niche.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Distinguish between fundamental niches and realized niches.

[ 2 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 1]

A student set up a 20 -metre transect line along a rocky shore and measured the abundance of seven species of seaweeds (A-G) at 21 different sampling stations at fixed distances. The kite diagram represents the species abundance data across the 20 metres.

Figure for Question 2 — IB Biology HL

Seaweeds are obligate aerobes. Describe an environmental condition required for seaweed survival.

Question 3

[Maximum number: 3]

There is evidence that prokaryotes were responsible for changes in the atmospheric gases 3.5 billion years ago. Outline the role of bacteria in producing an oxygen-rich atmosphere.

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