Home / IB DP Biology D4.1 Natural selection-FA 2025- IB Style Questions For SL Paper 2

IB DP Biology D4.1 Natural selection-FA 2025- IB Style Questions For SL Paper 2

Question

a. Sketch the complementary strand to complete the section of a DNA diagram.

[3]

b.i. Define mutation. [1]
b.ii. Explain how evolution by natural selection depends on mutations. [4]
▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

a. correct base sequence: T, G, A;

b. strand drawn anti-parallel;

c. correct shapes used;

Award [2 max] if bonds are not from the correct carbon or if the nucleotides are not joined.

a.

change in genetic makeup/DNA/nucleotide/base sequence

b.i.

a. mutations cause variation among organisms of same species/population;

b. some variations/mutations make individual more suited to its environment/way of life;

c. individuals that are better adapted survive and produce offspring;

d. individuals pass on genetic characteristics/mutation/variation to offspring;

e. natural selection increases frequency of characteristics/alleles that make individuals better adapted;

b.ii.

Question

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

a. Outline the structures in M. tuberculosis that are not present in a human cell. [3]

b. Explain the production of antibodies when a patient is infected with the TB bacterium. [7]

c. Describe the risk to the human population of indiscriminate use of antibiotics.[5]

▶️Answer/Explanation

Markscheme

a. cell wall ✔

b. pili/flagella ✔

c. 70S ribosomes ✔

d. nucleoid / circular DNA
OR
naked DNA ✔

e. plasmids ✔

As candidates do not need to know the structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, all prokaryotic structures are accepted.

Ignore references to membrane bound organelles.

a.

a. phagocytes/lymphocytes are white blood cells ✔

b. TB bacterium has a specific antigen ✔

c. this antigen is recognised by white blood cells ✔

d. a clone of lymphocytes/plasma cells/B cells are produced ✔

e. antibodies are produced by lymphocytes ✔

f. each lymphocyte produces just one type of antibody ✔

g. (this is) specific immunity ✔

h. (part of the) antibody/immunoglobulin binds to the antigen / specific antibody binds to the specific antigen ✔

i. antibodies are proteins/immunoglobulins ✔

j. (some) plasma cells become memory cells ✔

k. memory cells reproduce quickly ✔

l. memory cells prevent infection in the future ✔

Allow annotated diagrams to explain the process.

b.

a. antibiotics block bacterial processes ✔

b. example of bacterial process ✔ e.g. cell wall formation

c. variations exist naturally in a population / some are naturally resistant to the antibiotic ✔

d. bacteria that are not resistant to this antibiotic will die / only resistant will survive (when antibiotic given) ✔

e. this characteristic could be passed to next generation ✔

f. (natural selection) leads to changes in the proportions/frequency in the population ✔

g. human population will be exposed to antibiotic resistant bacteria and will not have antibiotic to kill them ✔

h. (antibiotic resistant bacteria) may pass resistance to other bacteria species/types by means of plasmids (so other bacteria species turn resistant too) ✔

c.
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