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IB Biology HL D Continuity & Change Question Bank

Practise IB Biology HL D Continuity and Change through questions on genes, inheritance, evolution and biodiversity change, including the wider HL evidence set.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology HL
Level
HL

D Continuity and Change question 1

[Maximum number: 11]

Angiospermophyta are vascular flowering plants.

Question (a)

(a)

The flowers of angiospermophyta are used for sexual reproduction. Outline three processes required for successful reproduction of angiospermophyta.

[ 3 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Growth in living organisms includes replication of DNA. Explain DNA replication.

[ 8 ]

D Continuity and Change question 2

[Maximum number: 5]

Auxin can be used to promote the development of roots from stem and leafy cuttings in some plants. In a study into the distribution of auxin in the development of these roots, scientists measured the amount of auxin in different leaves of a shoot tip of Petunia hybrida.

The figure indicates the numbering of leaves on the shoot, from L1 as the youngest and smallest to L6 as the largest and oldest leaf. The developmental stage of L5 and L6 was very similar, so L5 was not analysed. The stem base is the lowest part of the cutting where roots may form.

Figure for Question D Continuity and Change question 2 — IB Biology HL

The graph shows the auxin concentration in the different leaves.

Figure for Question D Continuity and Change question 2 — IB Biology HL

Question (a)

(a)

The scientists wanted to know whether the accumulation of auxin over time in the stem base of the controls affected expression of the GH3 gene, known to have a role in growth regulation in different plants. The technique that was used to quantify the level of transcription of the GH3 gene was Northern blotting. In this procedure the darkness and thickness of the band is an indicator of the level of transcription of a particular gene. The image shows the result of the Northern blot from 2 hours to 24 hours after cutting.

Figure for Question (a) — IB Biology HL
[ 5 ]

Question (i)

(i)

State the name of the molecule which is produced by transcription.

[ 1 ]

Question (ii)

(ii)

Compare the pattern of GH3 transcription with the pattern of auxin concentration in the stem base control cuttings. You may use the table provided to help you to record the patterns before you compare them. (Please note: a simple comparison in the table will not gain marks)

Table for Question (ii) — IB Biology HL
[ 2 ]

Question (iii)

(iii)

The scientists concluded that auxin activates the transcription of the GH 3 gene. Using the information on the auxin concentration in the stem base in the graph on page 4 and the Northern blot, evaluate whether this conclusion is supported.

[ 2 ]

D Continuity and Change question 3

[Maximum number: 4]

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a sex-linked genetic disorder caused by a recessive allele resulting from mutations in the X-linked dystrophin gene. This causes the degeneration of cardiac and skeletal muscle. These mutations can include deletions, insertions and base substitution mutations.

Question (a)

(a)

Distinguish between deletion and insertion mutations.

Figure for Question (a) — IB Biology HL
[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Explain ways in which CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing could be used to change the mutated dystrophin protein produced.

[ 3 ]

D Continuity and Change question 4

[Maximum number: 1]

Which process contributes to growth of a multicellular body?

A

Exocytosis

B

Meiosis

C

Mitosis

D

Osmosis

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