1. Which of the following will contribute to the cell theory?

I. Living organisms are composed of cells.

II. All cells come from pre-existing cells by mitosis.

III. Cells are the smallest units of life.

A. I only

B. II only

C. I and III only

D. I, II and III

(Total 1 mark)

2. A red blood cell is 8 μm in diameter. If drawn 100 times larger than its actual size, what
diameter will the drawing be in mm?

A. 0.08 mm

B. 0.8 mm

C. 8 mm

D. 80 mm

(Total 1 mark)

3. A cell has cytoplasm, a cell wall, naked DNA and ribosomes. Based on this information, what
type of cell could this be?

A. A cell from a pine tree

B. A grasshopper cell

C. A human red blood cell

D. A bacterium

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 1
4. Which of the following characteristics found in a structure necessarily indicates that it is alive?

A. The presence of genetic material

B. The presence of a lipid bilayer

C. Metabolism

D. Movement

(Total 1 mark)

5. Which pair of features is correct for both a human liver cell and an Escherichia coli cell?

Human liver cell Escherichia coli cell

A. contains DNA associated with protein contains naked DNA
B. has 70S ribosomes has 80S ribosomes
C. contains mitochondria contains mitochondria
D. contains DNA enclosed by a membrane contains DNA associated with protein
(Total 1 mark)

6. If a mitochondrion has a length of 5 µm and a student’s drawing of the mitochondrion is 10 mm,

what is the magnification of the drawing?

A. ×0.0005

B. ×0.5

C. ×200

D. ×2000

(Total 1 mark)

7. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Escherichia coli is a unicellular organism, so each cell must carry out all of the processes
required for life. Outline the functions of each of the structures in the cells of Escherichia

IB Questionbank Biology 2
 coli.

(9)

(b) Compare the use of carbohydrates and lipids in energy storage.

(4)

(c) Compare how pyruvate is used in human cells when oxygen is available and when
oxygen is not available.

(5)
(Total 20 marks)

8. The electron micrograph below shows the ultrastructure of part of an animal cell.

[Source: Reproduced with the kind permission of the Electron Microscopy Facility, Trinity College, Hartford,
Connecticut, USA, and Professor Daniel G. Blackburn.]

(a) Identify the structure labelled I.

......................................................................................................................................

(1)

IB Questionbank Biology 3
 (b) Explain briefly how materials produced in the structure labelled I are transported to the
plasma membrane.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

(2)

(c) Outline the function of the mitochondria in the cell.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

(2)

(d) Suggest why the two labelled mitochondria are different shapes in the micrograph.

......................................................................................................................................

(1)
(Total 6 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology 4
9. The electron micrograph below shows an organelle in a eukaryotic cell. What is the area
labelled X and what is the type of reaction occurring there?

[Source: http://scienceblogs.com/clock/2006/11/cell_structure.php]

X Reaction
A. matrix photolysis
B. stroma Krebs cycle
C. stroma photolysis
D. matrix Krebs cycle
(Total 1 mark)

10. In which of the following cells can more than one nucleus be found?

A. An unfertilized egg

B. Neuron

C. Sertoli cell

D. Muscle fibre

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 5
11. This question refers to the following micrograph of a liver cell.

In which organelle does the production of ATP, due to chemiosmosis, occur?

A. A

B. B

C. C

D. D

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 6
12. This question refers to the following micrograph of a liver cell.

Structure X is the Golgi apparatus. What process occurs in this organelle?

A. Post-transcriptional modification of mRNA

B. Translation

C. mRNA production

D. Vesicle formation

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 7
13. Which functions of life are found in all unicellular organisms?

A. growth, response and nutrition

B. differentiation, response and nutrition

C. metabolism, meiosis and homeostasis

D. growth, metabolism and differentiation

(Total 1 mark)

14. Which of the following are features of prokaryotes and eukaryotes?

DNA associated
70S ribosomes 80S ribosomes Naked DNA
with proteins
A. prokaryote eukaryote prokaryote eukaryote
B. eukaryote prokaryote eukaryote prokaryote
C. eukaryote prokaryote prokaryote eukaryote
D. prokaryote eukaryote eukaryote prokaryote
(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 8
15. The diagram below shows a bacterium.

What structure does the part labelled X identify?

A. Nucleus

B. Nucleoid

C. Nucleolus

D. Nuclear membrane

(Total 1 mark)

16. What do prokaryotic cells have that eukaryotic cells do not?

A. Mitochondria

B. 70S ribosomes

C. Histones

D. Internal membranes

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 9
17. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Plants are a diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. Describe the different characteristics
of the bryophyta, filicinophyta, coniferophyta and angiospermophyta.

(9)

(b) Plants store carbohydrate in the form of starch. Explain the reasons for starch being
digested by the human digestive system.

(4)

(c) Compare the structure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

(5)
(Total 20 marks)

a.

Briofita Filicinofita Coniferophyta Angiospermoph

yta
-Carecen de tejidos Plantas con Tienen conos
vasculares especializad sistema vascular en los que Plantas con
os (xilema, floema) definido: Xilem están semilla cuyas f
a para el dispuestos lores tienen ve
- Carecen de hojas, transporte de sus órganos rticilos o
tallo y raíces. agua reproductore espirales
y Floema para el s. ordenados
transporte de
azúcares. Son leñosas y son la fuente
de gran de la mayor
Se reproducen por porte. parte de los
medio de esporas alimentos
consumidos
por el hombre

b. Los almidones son polisacáridos ya que han sido formados por la unión de monosacáridos como la
glucosa. Estas cadenas de azucares las plantas las utilizan para almacenar energía,
proporcionando el 70-80% de las calorías consumidas por los seres humanos. Se pueden
encontrar en el trigo, maíz, legumbres, papas, entre otros. Durante la digestión, el cuerpo tiene
que romper los polisacáridos en una forma que pueda absorberlos. Las tres formas absorbibles
de nutrientes que el almidón puede proporcionar son la glucosa, la fructosa y la galactosa.

c. Las células eucariotas tienen un compartimento dentro de la célula que contiene los cromosomas.
Está delimitado por una envoltura nuclear, mientras que las procariotas no tienen núcleo por lo
que están completamente llenos de citoplasma. Adema las procariotas tienen la estructura

IB Questionbank Biology 10
 celular más simple pero presentan un sistema más complejo por los productos bioquímicos que
hay presentes, incluidas numerosas enzimas, y en la pared celular contiene peptidoglicano.

18. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Eukaryotic cells have intracellular and extracellular components. State the functions of
one named extracellular component.

(4)

(b) Outline, with an example, the process of exocytosis.

(5)

(c) Translation occurs in living cells. Explain how translation is carried out, from the
initiation stage onwards.

(9)
(Total 20 marks)

a. MEMBRANA PLASMÁTICA _ Definen la extensión de la célula y establecen sus

límites. __ Forman barreras selectivamente permeables, impidiendo el intercambio
indiscriminado de sustancias entre el exterior y el interior celular. __ Controlan la interacción
entre células o con la matriz extracelular. __ Intervienen en las respuestas a señales externas a
través de los receptores.

b.

Transporte de vesículas:

Enlace de vesículas

Unión de vesículas

Preparación de la vesícula

Fusión de la vesícula

c. En esta etapa el ARNm se "decodifica" para construir una proteína (o un

pedazo/subunidad de una proteína) que contiene una serie de aminoácidos en específico.

IB Questionbank Biology 11
19. (a) The scanning electron micrograph below shows the surface of the nuclear envelope with
numerous nuclear pores.

[Source: adapted from D Nelson and M Cox, (2000), Lehninger Principles of Biochemistry, third edition, page 35]

(i) Calculate the power of magnification of the image.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

(1)

(ii) State the diameter of the pore labelled X.

...........................................................................................................................

(1)

(b) List two examples of how human life depends on mitosis.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

(1)

IB Questionbank Biology 12
IB Questionbank Biology 13
 (c) Describe the importance of stem cells in differentiation.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

(3)

(d) The graphs below show the normal menstrual cycle.

[Source: adapted from www.mivf.com.au/ivf/infertility/images/cyclediagram.GIF]

(i) Predict, with a reason, how the graphs will change if the woman becomes pregnant.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

(2)

IB Questionbank Biology 14
 (ii) List two roles of testosterone in males.

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

...........................................................................................................................

(1)
(Total 9 marks)

20. What is the difference between the structure of all prokaryotes and all eukaryotes?

Prokaryotes Eukaryotes
A. cell wall no cell wall
B. chloroplasts no chloroplasts
C. flagellum no flagellum
D. nucleoid nuclear envelope
(Total 1 mark)

21. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Draw a labelled diagram of the ultrastructure of Escherichia coli as an example of a

prokaryote.

(4)

(b) Describe the events that occur in the four phases of mitosis in animals.

(6)

(c) Explain the process of aerobic cell respiration after glycolysis has occurred.

(8)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology 15
IB Questionbank Biology 16
22. How does the surface area to volume ratio change with an increase in cell size?

(Total 1 mark)

23. What can the extracellular matrix of cells be made of?

I. Polysaccharide

II. Glycoprotein

III. Phospholipid

A. I only

B. I and II only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 17
24. Which of the following structures are found in all cells?

A. Mitochondria

B. Cell walls

C. Chloroplasts

D. Ribosomes

(Total 1 mark)

I, II and III
(Total 1 mark)

25. By what process do most bacteria divide?

A. Mitosis

B. Meiosis

C. Conjugation

D. Binary fission

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 18
26. Below is a micrograph of an E. coli bacterium undergoing reproduction.

[Source: www.bio.mtu.edu/campbell/prokaryo.htm]

In the diagram what does label X identify?

A. Nucleoid region

B. Chromatin

C. Histones

D. Endoplasmic reticulum

(Total 1 mark)

27. The electron micrograph below shows an E. coli cell.

[Source: www.microbiology.umaryland.edu/images/bact_em.jpg]

IB Questionbank Biology 19
 (a) Identify the structures labelled A and B in the electron micrograph above and state one
function of each.

A: Name .......................................................................................................

Function .......................................................................................................

B: Name .......................................................................................................

Function .......................................................................................................

(2)

(b) Compare prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells.

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

......................................................................................................................................

(3)
(Total 5 marks)

28. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Draw a labelled diagram to show the structure of a membrane.

(5)

(b) Outline how vesicles are used to transport materials secreted by a cell.

(6)

(c) Explain how the structure of a villus in the small intestine is related to its function.

(7)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology 20
IB Questionbank Biology 21
29. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Draw a labelled diagram showing the ultra-structure of a liver cell.

(4)

(b) Distinguish between prokaryotic cells and eukaryotic cells.

(6)

(c) Explain prokaryotic DNA replication.

(8)
(Total 20 marks)

30. If a Sequoia sempervirens tree is 100 m tall and a drawing of it is 100 mm tall, what is the
magnification of the drawing?

A. ×0.001

B. ×0.1

C. ×1.0

D. ×1000

(Total 1 mark)

(6)

(c) Explain prokaryotic DNA replication.

(8)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology 22
31. Which of the following structures does Escherichia coli have?

I. 70S Ribosomes

II. Pili

III. Nucleus

A. I only

B. I and II only

C. II and III only

D. I, II and III

(Total 1 mark)

32. What feature do plant cells have but not animal cells?

A. Plasma membranes

B. Mitochondria

C. Cell walls

D. 80S ribosomes

(Total 1 mark)

33. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Draw a labelled diagram to show the ultrastructure of Escherichia coli.

(5)

(b) Distinguish between active and passive movements of materials across plasma
membranes, using named examples.

(4)

(c) Explain how chemiosmosis assists in ATP production during oxidative phosphorylation.

IB Questionbank Biology 23
 (9)
(Total 20 marks)

34. What is the correct order of increasing size for the following biological structures?

I. The width of a virus

II. The width of a bacterium

III. The thickness of a cell surface membrane

IV. The diameter of a eukaryotic cell

A. I ® III ® II ® IV

B. I ® III ® IV ® II

C. III ® I ® II ® IV

D. III ® II ® I ® IV

(Total 1 mark)

35. Which of the following structures are present in both plant and animal cells?

I. Cell wall

II. Chloroplast

III. Mitochondrion

A. I only

B. I and II only

C. I and III only

D. III only

(Total 1 mark)

IB Questionbank Biology 24
36. In viewing an electron micrograph of a cell, ribosomes, pili and a single circular chromosome
are observed. What other structure is likely to be present?

A. The rough endoplasmic reticulum (rER)

B. Mitochondria

C. A nuclear membrane

D. A plasmid

(Total 1 mark)

37. What is produced as a result of mitosis?

A. Two cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes of the original cell

B. Two cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell

C. Four cells, each containing the same number of chromosomes as the original cell

D. Four cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes of the original cell

(Total 1 mark)

38. Up to two additional marks are available for the construction of your answers.

(2)

(a) Draw and label a diagram of the ultrastructure of a liver cell.

(4)

(b) Explain how mitosis produces two genetically identical nuclei.

(8)

(c) Outline one therapeutic use of stem cells.

(6)
(Total 20 marks)

IB Questionbank Biology 25
IB Questionbank Biology 26