1.

What is the source of the oxygen released into the air as a product of photosynthesis?
A.

Chlorophyll

B.

Carbon dioxide only

C.

Water only

D.

Both water and carbon dioxide

(Total 1 mark)

2.

Which type of light is least useful for photosynthesis in terrestrial plants?

A.

Blue

B.

Green

C.

White

D.

Red
(Total 1 mark)

3.

Which variable has the least effect on enzyme activity?

A.

Temperature

B.

Light intensity

C.

pH

D.

Substrate concentration
(Total 1 mark)

4.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

Living organisms at every trophic level are part of the carbon cycle. Draw a labelled
diagram of the carbon cycle to show the processes involved.
(9)

(b)

Explain, using an example of a food chain, how trophic levels can be deduced.
(4)

IB Questionbank Biology

(c)

Explain methods that can be used to measure the rate of photosynthesis.

(5)
(Total 20 marks)

5.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

Outline condensation and hydrolysis reactions using a different example for each.
(5)

(b)

Outline the effect of temperature and substrate concentration on the activity of enzymes.
(4)

(c)

Explain methods by which the rate of photosynthesis can be measured, including

conditions that affect the rate.
(9)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

6.

The rate of photosynthesis in the marine seagrass, Zostera marina, was investigated under a range
of pH conditions. After a period of darkness, the plants were illuminated at a constant light
intensity at 15C and the rate of photosynthesis was measured. Zostera marina can use both
dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen carbonate ions for photosynthesis. The rate of
photosynthesis is plotted on the y-axis on the left. In addition, the concentration of carbon dioxide
was measured for each pH investigated and is plotted on the y-axis on the right.

[Source: Plant physiology by AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT PHYSIOLOGISTS. Copyright 2008 Reproduced
with permission of AMERICAN SOCIETY OF PLANT BIOLOGISTS in the format CD ROM via Copyright
Clearance Center.]

(a)

State the carbon dioxide concentration at pH 7.2.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Biology

(b)

Calculate the percentage decrease in the rate of photosynthesis from pH 7 to pH 7.5.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Outline the relationship between pH and the rate of photosynthesis.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Suggest how Zostera marina can perform photosynthesis even at very low carbon dioxide
concentrations.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(e)

Based on the information and data provided, discuss the role of one limiting factor, other
than carbon dioxide, and suggest how this would affect the rate of photosynthesis.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

7.

The effect of temperature on photosynthesis was studied in sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) using
leaf discs. The production of oxygen was used to measure the rate of photosynthesis.
Gross photosynthesis refers to the sum of net photosynthesis and respiration. Net photosynthesis
was calculated by subtracting the rate of respiration in the dark from gross photosynthesis.

[Source: Adapted from R Ribeiro et al. 2006. Cincia e Agrotecnologia. Vol 30. Pp 670678.]

(a)

Identify the optimum temperature for photosynthesis in this plant.

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Determine the difference between gross photosynthesis and net photosynthesis at 40C and
50C.
40C: ..........................................................................................................................
50C: ..........................................................................................................................
(2)

(c)

Deduce what happens to the rate of respiration as the temperature increases between 40C
and 50C.
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Biology

(d)

(i)

Describe the general pattern of change in photosynthesis in sweet orange as the

temperature increases.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Compare the effect of temperature on photosynthesis with the effect of temperature

on respiration in sweet orange.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 7 marks)

8.

Where is chlorophyll found in a plant cell?

A.

Thylakoid membranes

B.

Stroma

C.

Matrix

D.

Cristae
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

9.

What is produced by the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis and used in the Calvin
cycle?
A.

Hydrogen and oxygen

B.

ATP and NADPH

C.

NADPH and oxygen

D.

ATP and CO2

(Total 1 mark)

10.

The photosynthetic activity of desert plants is often reduced in the middle of the day. What is the
most reasonable explanation for this fact?
A.

Enzymes are denatured by the high temperatures.

B.

There is not sufficient water for photosystem I.

C.

Most of the light is reflected by the thick cuticle.

D.

The stomata close to preserve water and gas exchange decreases.

(Total 1 mark)

11.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

All organisms in an ecosystem are involved in the carbon cycle. Outline the roles of living
organisms in the carbon cycle.
(8)

(b)

Explain how triose phosphate is produced and used in the chloroplasts of a plant.
(5)

(c)

Explain the conditions that are needed to allow a seed to germinate.

(5)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

12.

A plant is exposed to increasing light intensity from very dim to bright light, while the carbon
dioxide concentration and temperature are kept at an optimum level. What will happen to the rate
of oxygen production?
A.

It will increase exponentially.

B.

It will remain constant.

C.

It will decrease to a minimum level.

D.

It will increase to a maximum level.

(Total 1 mark)

13.

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide levels are rising. A study was carried out to test if the
temperature dependence of photosynthesis was altered by elevated atmospheric CO2.
Maize plants were grown in natural sunlight in controlled environmental chambers at different
temperatures using current atmospheric and doubled CO2 levels.
The graph below shows daily patterns of CO2 exchange at three different temperatures.
Open shapes (, , ) represent current atmospheric CO2 levels and closed shapes (, , )
represent elevated CO2 levels.

[Reprinted from: Kim, S H et al. 2007. Temperature dependence of growth, development, and photosynthesis in maize
under elevated CO2. Environmental and Experimental Botany. Vol 61. Pp 224236.]

IB Questionbank Biology

(a)

(i)

State the time at which carbon dioxide exchange rate is maximal.

...........................................................................................................................
(1)

(ii)

Explain the reasons for maximum carbon dioxide exchange rate at this time.
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................................
(2)

(b)

State the temperature that resulted in the highest rate of photosynthesis under current
atmospheric conditions.
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(c)

Using the data in the graph, discuss whether rising carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere
will increase growth rates in maize.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

14.

Primary production is directly related to the amount of photosynthesis that occurs in a cubic metre
of water. In the waters around Bermuda (32 N) in the Atlantic Ocean, microscopic
phytoplankton are the producers. They use trace nutrients from seawater in their metabolism.
These nutrients are a limiting factor in total population size. A dense phytoplankton population
makes the water cloudy. The data shows primary production per day for each month for the year
2000 at different water depths.

[Source: DataStreme Ocean, American Meteorological Society (2004). Reprinted with permission.]

(a)

State the month when total photosynthesis was greatest.

......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Identify, with a reason, the water depth that receives no light.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

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10

(c)

In the upper 40 m there is a drop in photosynthesis from March to June. This is probably
due to lack of nutrients, reducing the population density.
Suggest, with a reason other than nutrient levels, what might have increased photosynthesis
at 100 m from April to August.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(d)

Compare production in March with production in September.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

11

15.

Where are the light-dependent and light-independent reactions taking place in the diagram
below?

Light-dependent

Light-independent

A.

IV

B.

II

III

C.

III

II

D.

IV

I
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

12

16.

The diagram below shows the structure of a chloroplast.

What is the structure labelled X?

A.

Ribosome

B.

Stroma

C.

Inner membrane

D.

Thylakoid
(Total 1 mark)

17.

How can the rate of photosynthesis of a plant be directly measured?

A.

By measuring the rate of oxygen produced

B.

By measuring the rate of carbon dioxide produced

C.

By measuring the rate of plant growth

D.

By measuring the rate of light absorbed

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

13

18.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

State four elements that are needed by living organisms, other than carbon, hydrogen and
oxygen, giving one role of each.
(4)

(b)

Outline how light energy is used and how organic molecules are made in photosynthesis.
(6)

(c)

Explain the significance of complementary base pairing for replication, transcription and
translation.
(8)
(Total 20 marks)

19.

Which graph best represents the effect of temperature on the rate of photosynthesis of a plant?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

14

20.

What happens in the light-independent reactions of photosynthesis?

A.

Splitting of water molecules

B.

ATP synthesis

C.

Reduction of NADP

D.

Reduction of CO2
(Total 1 mark)

21.

Which two tissues of a leaf are photosynthetic?

A.

Upper epidermis and palisade mesophyll

B.

Palisade mesophyll and spongy mesophyll

C.

Spongy mesophyll and xylem

D.

Upper epidermis and xylem

(Total 1 mark)

22.

What is light energy used for during photosynthesis?

A.

To produce carbon dioxide

B.

To produce water molecules

C.

To produce ATP

D.

To break down sugar molecules

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

15

23.

Which of the following colours of light is absorbed the most by chlorophyll?

A.

Blue

B.

Green

C.

Yellow

D.

Orange
(Total 1 mark)

24.

(a)

State the property of stem cells that makes them useful in medical treatment.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Explain how multicellular organisms develop specialized tissues.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

IB Questionbank Biology

16

(c)

Outline some of the outcomes of the sequencing of the human genome.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 6 marks)

25.

(a)

State the location in the chloroplast of the following reactions of photosynthesis.

Light-independent reactions: .......................................................................................
Light-dependent reactions: ..........................................................................................
(2)

(b)

Explain what happens to the electrons in the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 5 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

17

26.

Where are complex carbohydrates made in the chloroplast?

A.

In the intermembrane space

B.

In the stroma

C.

On the inner membrane

D.

In the thylakoid space

(Total 1 mark)

27.

Which of the following graphs represents the effect of changing light intensity on the rate of
oxygen production by a green plant?

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

18

28.

What conclusion can be drawn from examining the action spectrum for a green plant shown
below?

A.

Yellow light is the most effective at promoting photosynthesis.

B.

Every colour of light is equally effective at promoting photosynthesis.

C.

Light of wavelength 550 nm is least effective at promoting photosynthesis.

D.

Light in the green range is the most effective at promoting photosynthesis.

(Total 1 mark)

29.

Where in the cell does the Calvin cycle take place?

A.

Stroma of chloroplast

B.

Mitochondrial matrix

C.

Cytoplasm

D.

Inside thylakoid
(Total 1 mark)

30.

(a)

Draw a labelled diagram of the structure of a chloroplast as seen with an electron

microscope.
(4)

IB Questionbank Biology

19

(b)

Describe how water is carried by the transpiration stream.

(7)

(c)

Explain how flowering is controlled in long-day and short-day plants.

(7)
(Total 18 marks)

31.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

Draw a labelled diagram showing the tissues present in a dicotyledonous leaf.

(4)

(b)

Outline the light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis.

(6)

(c)

Explain the effect of light intensity and temperature on the rate of photosynthesis.
(8)
(Total 20 marks)

32.

Oxygen is produced during photosynthesis. What is the source of this oxygen inside the plant?
A.

Air spaces in the leaf

B.

Carbon dioxide

C.

Glucose

D.

Water
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

20

33.

The graph below shows the results of an experiment to determine the effect of salt (NaCl)
concentration on photosynthesis of the freshwater green alga Chlorella vulgaris. The experiment
attempted to determine the effect of salt concentration on the light-dependent reactions overall
and separately on photosystem I and photosystem II.

[Source: M M El-Sheekh, Inhibition of the water splitting system by sodium chloride stress in the green alga Chlorella
vulgaris, Brazilian Journal of Plant Physiology, Volume 16, Issue 1, Figure 1, (2004)]

(a)

Describe the effect of salt concentration on the activity of the light-dependent reactions
overall.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

(b)

Compare the effect of increasing salt concentration on photosystem I with the effect on
photosystem II.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(1)

IB Questionbank Biology

21

(c)

When salt concentration is increased, some algal cells increase their rates of cyclic
photophosphorylation. Deduce the reasons for this.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)

(d)

Using the graph, predict the effect of high salt concentration on the growth of Chlorella
vulgaris. Give a reason for your answer.
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
......................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 6 marks)

34.

What reaction, involving glycerate 3-phosphate, is part of the light-independent reactions of

photosynthesis?
A.

Glycerate 3-phosphate is carboxylated using carbon dioxide.

B.

Two glycerate 3-phosphates are linked together to form one hexose phosphate.

C.

Glycerate 3-phosphate is reduced to triose phosphate.

D.

Five glycerate 3-phosphates are converted to three ribulose 5-phosphates.

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

22

35.

What is the advantage of having a small volume inside the thylakoids of the chloroplast?
A.

High proton concentrations are rapidly developed.

B.

High electron concentrations are rapidly developed.

C.

Photosynthetic pigments are highly concentrated.

D.

Enzymes of the Calvin cycle are highly concentrated.

(Total 1 mark)

36.

Which two colours of light does chlorophyll absorb most?

A.

Red and yellow

B.

Green and blue

C.

Red and green

D.

Red and blue

(Total 1 mark)

37.

(a)

Explain why carbon dioxide concentration is a limiting factor of photosynthesis.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

IB Questionbank Biology

23

(b)

Explain the relationship between the structure of the chloroplast and its function.
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(3)

(c)

State two products of the light-dependent reactions.

.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
.....................................................................................................................................
(2)
(Total 8 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

24

38.

The diagram below summarizes the light-dependent reactions in photosynthesis. What is

occurring at X?

Electrons
X
Electrons
Light
Photosystem I
Light

Photosystem II

A.

ADP + phosphate ATP

B.

NADP+NADPH + H+

C.

H2O O2 + 2H+

D.

NADPH + H+ NADP+
(Total 1 mark)

39.

What is the first identifiable product of carbon dioxide fixation in photosynthesis?

A.

Ribulose bisphosphate (RuBP)

B.

Glycerate3-phosphate (GP)

C.

Triose phosphate (TP)

D.

Acetyl CoA
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology

25

40.

Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.
(2)

(a)

Draw a labelled diagram showing the structure of a plasma membrane.

(4)

(b)

Outline the role of chlorophyll and the effects of temperature, light intensity and carbon
dioxide concentration on the rate of photosynthesis.
(6)

(c)

Explain the production of energy during aerobic respiration from pyruvate that has been
produced by glycolysis.
(8)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology

26