IB Biology HL C1.3 Photosynthesis Question Bank
Practise IB Biology HL C1.3 by linking pigments and limiting factors to photosystems, photophosphorylation and carbon fixation evidence.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Biology HL
- Level
- HL
Exam points
- explain conversion of light energy into chemical energy and use of carbon dioxide to make carbon compounds
- separate and identify pigments using chromatography and calculate Rf values from measured distances
- interpret absorption, action or rate graphs to identify useful wavelengths and limiting factors
- trace light-dependent reactions through photosystems, photolysis, electron transport and photophosphorylation
- trace carbon fixation through Rubisco, GP, triose phosphate and RuBP regeneration in the Calvin cycle
Covered syllabus points
C1.3.1—Light energy → chemical energyC1.3.2—CO₂ → glucoseC1.3.3—Oxygen as by-productC1.3.4—Photosynthetic pigment separationC1.3.5—Absorption of specific wavelengthsC1.3.6—Absorption vs. action spectraC1.3.7—Limiting factors investigationC1.3.8—CO₂ enrichment experimentsC1.3.9 (HL)—PhotosystemsC1.3.10 (HL)—Advantages of pigment arraysC1.3.11 (HL)—Photolysis of waterC1.3.12 (HL)—ATP production in thylakoidsC1.3.13 (HL)—NADP reductionC1.3.14 (HL)—Thylakoids as light-dependent systemsC1.3.15 (HL)—Carbon fixation by RubiscoC1.3.16 (HL)—Triose phosphate synthesisC1.3.17 (HL)—RuBP regenerationC1.3.18 (HL)—Synthesis of other compoundsC1.3.19 (HL)—Interdependence of light and light-independent reactions
C1.3 Photosynthesis question 1
[Maximum number: 8]
In ecosystems, energy is used to convert inorganic compounds into organic matter. Energy enters ecosystems through producers.
Explain the processes by which light energy is converted into chemical energy.
a. plants/producers/autotrophs convert light to chemical energy by photosynthesis
b. chlorophyll/photosynthetic pigments absorb light
c. electrons are excited/raised to higher energy level
d. excited electrons pass along chain of electron carriers
e. energy from electrons used to pump protons across thylakoid membrane/into thylakoid space
f. chemiosmosis/proton gradient used to make ATP
g. ATP synthase generates ATP
h. pigments arranged in photosystems
i. electrons from Photosystem II flow via the electron chain to Photosystem I
j. electrons from Photosystem I are used to reduce NADP
k. ATP and reduced NADP used in the light independent reactions/Calvin cycle
I. carbohydrate/glucose/carbon compounds produced containing energy
Marking guidance:
Award marking points for any point made on a clearly annotated diagram.
8 max
C1.3 Photosynthesis question 2
[Maximum number: 1]
Bromothymol blue is an indicator that is initially blue and turns yellow when CO2 is present. Tests were carried out varying the presence of a plant (Elodea canadensis) and a snail (Marisa cornuarietis) in an aquatic environment. What condition would produce a blue colour after sampling the water?
A
Plant kept in the dark without snail
B
Plant and snail kept in the dark
C
Plant kept in the light without snail
D
Snail with no plant
C
C1.3 Photosynthesis question 3
[Maximum number: 1]
Which group(s) produce(s) oxygen as a by-product of photosynthesis?
I. Algae
II. Cyanobacteria
III. Fungi
A
I only
B
I and II only
C
II and III only
D
I, II and III
B
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