Home / IB DP Biology- B2.2 Organelles and compartmentalization -FA 2025- IB Style Questions For HL Paper 1

IB DP Biology- B2.2 Organelles and compartmentalization -FA 2025- IB Style Questions For HL Paper 1

Question

How does the endosymbiotic theory account for the origin of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells?

A. Autotrophic eukaryotes fused with photosynthetic bacteria.

B. Small aerobic bacteria survived inside anaerobic prokaryotes.

C. Anaerobic prokaryotes were engulfed by small aerobic bacteria.

D. Invaginations occurred in large prokaryotes to increase surface area for gas exchange.

▶️Answer/Explanation

Ans. B

The endosymbiotic theory explains the origin of mitochondria in eukaryotic cells by suggesting that mitochondria were once free-living prokaryotes that were engulfed by a pre-eukaryotic host cell: 

Engulfment

A eukaryotic cell engulfed an aerobic prokaryote, which then formed an endosymbiotic relationship with the host cell. 

Development

The prokaryote gradually developed into a mitochondrion. 

Gene transfer

Many genes were transferred from the genome of the prokaryote to the genome of the host. 

Mitochondrial DNA
Mitochondrial DNA is organized in a circular chromosome, similar to prokaryotic genomes.
Reproduction

Mitochondria reproduce by binary fission, the same process used by prokaryotes. 

 The endosymbiotic theory is supported by a variety of evidence, including:

  • Mitochondrial proteins: Mitochondrial proteins are similar to the proteins encoded by the genome of the bacterial pathogen Rickettsia prowazekii.
    Mitochondrial RNA: Mitochondrial RNA is similar to the RNA of alpha- and beta-proteobacteria. 
    Organelle size: Mitochondria are about the same size as prokaryotic cells. 
    Organelle location: Mitochondria are located inside eukaryotic cells, rather than free-living

Question

Figure 1

A student is using dialysis bags to model the effects of changing solute concentrations on cells. The student places one dialysis bag that contains 25 mL

of distilled water into each of two beakers that are filled with 200 mL of distilled water. (Figure 1). The membrane of each dialysis bag membrane contains pores that allow small solutes such as monoatomic ions to pass through but are too small for anything larger to pass. After 30 minutes, 5 mL

of a concentrated solution of albumin (a medium-sized, water-soluble protein) is added to one of the two beakers. Nothing is added to the other beaker. After two more hours at room temperature, the mass of each bag is determined. There is no change in the mass of the dialysis bag in the beaker to which no albumin was added.

Which of the graphs below best represents the predicted change in mass over time of the dialysis bag in the beaker to which albumin was added?

A.

 

The figure presents a graph in the coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is labeled Time, in minutes, and the numbers 0 through 150, in increments of 30, are indicated. The vertical axis is labeled Relative Mass of Dialysis Bag. The axis has an arrowhead at the top end, and no numbers are indicated along it. The graphed line begins at 0 minutes, about halfway up the vertical axis, and extends horizontally to the right until it ends at 150 minutes. A label indicates Albumin Added at 30 minutes.

B.

 

The figure presents a graph in the coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is labeled Time, in minutes, and the numbers 0 through 150, in increments of 30, are indicated. The vertical axis is labeled Relative Mass of Dialysis Bag. The axis has an arrowhead at the top end, and no numbers are indicated along it. The graphed line begins at 0 minutes, about halfway up the vertical axis, and extends horizontally to the right until 30 minutes. A label indicates Albumin Added at 30 minutes. The graphed line starts to move downward and to the right at 30 minutes until it ends at 150 minutes, just above the horizontal axis.

C.

 

The figure presents a graph in the coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is labeled Time, in minutes, and the numbers 0 through 150, in increments of 30, are indicated. The vertical axis is labeled Relative Mass of Dialysis Bag. The axis has an arrowhead at the top end, and no numbers are indicated along it. The graphed line begins at 0 minutes, about one third of the way up the vertical axis, and moves upward and to the right until it is about halfway up the vertical axis at 30 minutes. A label indicates Albumin Added at 30 minutes. The graphed line then moves downward and to the right until it ends at 150 minutes, about one third of the way up the vertical axis.

D.

 

The figure presents a graph in the coordinate plane. The horizontal axis is labeled Time, in minutes, and the numbers 0 through 150, in increments of 30, are indicated. The vertical axis is labeled Relative Mass of Dialysis Bag. The axis has an arrowhead at the top end, and no numbers are indicated along it. The graphed line begins at 0 minutes, about halfway up the vertical axis, and extends horizontally to the right until 30 minutes. A label indicates Albumin Added at 30 minutes. The graphed line then moves upward and to the right until it ends at 150 minutes, near the top of the vertical axis.

Answer/Explanation

Ans: B
The graph indicates no change in the mass of the dialysis bag for the first 30 minutes in an isotonic environment and then shows a decrease in mass when the environment became hypertonic with the addition of albumin.

Question

Some viral infections can lead to the rupture of the lysosome membrane. Which prediction of the effect of this disruption of cellular compartmentalization is most likely correct?

A. Enzymes will be released that will specifically target the virus.

B. Cellular osmotic concentrations will change, preventing viral entry into the cell.

C. Hydrolytic enzymes will be released, which will cause cell death.

D. Intracellular digestion of organic materials will increase, which will increase the energy available to the cell for fighting the virus.

Answer/Explanation

Ans: C
Hydrolytic enzymes will be released, resulting in cell death and preventing further viral reproduction.

Scroll to Top