IB Biology SL Paper 2 Question Bank

Section A

1.) The body mass index (BMI) takes into account the weight and height of a person and can be used to determine if a person is overweight or obese. The nomogram shows the body mass index for a range of weights and heights.

A. State the weight description of a 75 kg man who is 145 cm tall.
Obese

B. A woman of height 150 cm has a BMI of 40. Calculate the minimum weight she must lose to be
considered ‘normal’.
35kg (±2)

C. Outline the relationship between height and BMI for a fixed weight.
As height increases, body mass index decreases or vice versa.

2.) Blind mole rats (Spalax ehrenberghi) are adapted to live in underground burrows with very low oxygen conditions. Scientists compared blind mole rats and white rats in order to determine whether these adaptations are due to changes in their ventilation system. Both types of rats were placed on a treadmill and the amount of oxygen consumed was measured at different speeds. This study was done under normal oxygen conditions and under low oxygen conditions.

The results are shown in the scatter graphs below.

A. Compare the oxygen consumption of blind mole rats and white rats when the treadmill is not moving.
Blind mole rats have a lower oxygen consumption than white rats

B. Compare the effect of increasing the treadmill speed on the oxygen consumption in both types of rats
Both graphs show greater speed correlated to greater consumption; positively correlated. Blind mole rats consume less oxygen at lower speeds than white rats. But white rats consume less oxygen at higher speeds

C. Evaluate the effect of reducing the amount of oxygen available on both types of rats.
There is a lower oxygen consumption in both types of rats. There is a smaller effect on blind mole rats than on white rats. A plateau is reached in white rats at a lower speed.

Section B

3.) Compare Plant and Animal Cells

Plant and animal cells are both eukaryotic cells, which means they have a true nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. However, there are several differences between plant and animal cells in terms of their structure and function:

⦁ Cell wall: Plant cells have a rigid cell wall made of cellulose that provides support and protection to the cell. Animal cells do not have a cell wall.
⦁ Chloroplasts: Plant cells have chloroplasts, which are organelles that contain chlorophyll and are responsible for photosynthesis. Animal cells do not have chloroplasts.
⦁ Vacuoles: Plant cells have large, central vacuoles that store water, nutrients, and waste. Animal cells have smaller vacuoles or none at all.
⦁ Shape: Plant cells are generally rectangular in shape, whereas animal cells are more irregular in shape.
⦁ Centrioles: Animal cells have centrioles, which are structures involved in cell division. Plant cells do not have centrioles.
⦁ Lysosomes: Animal cells have lysosomes, which are organelles that contain digestive enzymes. Plant cells do not have lysosomes.

4.) Outline the cellular components of a prokaryotic cell.

Prokaryotic cells will typically contain the following cellular components:

⦁ Cytoplasm: internal fluid component of the cell
⦁ Nucleoid: region of the cytoplasm where the DNA is located (DNA strand is circular and called a genophore)
⦁ Plasmids: autonomous circular DNA molecules that may be transferred between bacteria (horizontal gene transfer)
⦁ Ribosomes: complexes of RNA and protein that are responsible for polypeptide synthesis (prokaryote ribosome = 70S)
⦁ Cell membrane: Semi-permeable and selective barrier surrounding the cell
⦁ Cell wall: a rigid outer covering made of peptidoglycan; maintains shape and prevents bursting (lysis)
⦁ Slime capsule: a thick polysaccharide layer used for protection against desiccation (drying out) and phagocytosis
⦁ Flagella: Long, slender projections containing a motor protein that enables movement (singular: flagellum)
⦁ Pili: Hair-like extensions that enable adherence to surfaces (attachment pili) or mediate bacterial conjugation (sex pili)

5.) The allele for tall plants (T) is dominant over the allele for dwarf plants (t). State the possible genotypes and phenotypes of a plant for this trait.

⦁ The genotype is the set of genes in our DNA which is responsible for a particular trait. Genotype contains all the hereditary information of an individual, even if those genes are not expressed, Genotype refers to the pairs of alleles
⦁ The phenotype is the physical expression, or characteristics, visible trait. (expressed genes only), the observation of the individual.
⦁ The phenotype depends upon the genotype but can also be influenced by environmental factors. For example, two organisms that have even the minutest difference in their genes are said to have different genotypes.

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6.) Explain how a base pair substitution in DNA can cause sickle-cell anaemia.

⦁ Point/gene mutation by changing one base to another causes the base pair substitution
⦁ GAG has mutated to GTG, from A to T (in a sense strand of DNA)
⦁ CTC has mutated from CAC/T to A (in the antisense strand of DNA)
⦁ One codon in the mRNA differs, instead of GAG, GUG appears (in the mRNA and is read during translation)
⦁ GUG of mRNA binds with the anticodon of different tRNA (to the tRNA usually used)
⦁ The new tRNA is attached to valine instead of glutamic acid
⦁ Causing replacement of glutamic acid by valine in the growing polypeptide
⦁ The replacement alters the properties of haemoglobin
⦁ The deformed haemoglobin causes red blood cells to take up crescent/sickle shape
⦁ Sickled red blood cell carries less oxygen to cells and can cause anaemia
⦁ Sickle cell anaemia is an autosomal codominant characteristic

7.) Mendel is known as the father of genetics for his extensive experimental work with peas and different types of crosses. In a classic example of Mendel’s work, he determined that the gene for pea colour had two alleles. The allele for yellow colour was dominant and the allele for green colour was recessive. Draw a Punnett square to cross two heterozygous yellow peas and determine the predicted genotype and phenotype ratios of the possible offspring.

8.) Explain antibody production.

Antibodies, also known as immunoglobulins, are proteins produced by the immune system to help defend the body against foreign substances such as viruses, bacteria, and toxins. When the body is exposed to a foreign substance, the immune system responds by producing antibodies that are specific to that substance. These antibodies can help to neutralize the threat and remove it from the body. Antibody production occurs in a process known as the immune response. When the body encounters a foreign substance, it triggers an immune response that involves the activation of immune cells called B cells. B cells are a type of white blood cell that are responsible for producing antibodies. During the immune response, B cells are activated and begin to divide and differentiate into specialized cells called plasma cells. Plasma cells are responsible for producing large amounts of antibodies and secreting them into the bloodstream. The process of antibody production is complex and involves a number of different steps. It begins when the body recognizes a foreign substance and activates the immune response. This triggers the activation and differentiation of B cells into plasma cells, which then begin to produce and secrete antibodies. The antibodies circulate in the bloodstream and work to neutralize the foreign substance, helping to protect the body from infection or disease.

9.) Explain how the skin and mucous membranes prevent the entry of pathogens into the body.

The skin and mucous membranes act as a physical barrier. The skin has several layers of tough cells. The skin is dry discouraging the growth and reproduction of pathogens. Skin membranes host natural flora and fauna that compete with pathogens. The enzyme lysozyme is present on the skin’s surface to
break down pathogens. The pH of skin and mucous membranes is unfavourable to many pathogens. Skin is a continuous layer. Mucus traps pathogens/sticky.

10.) Explain how blood glucose concentration is controlled in humans.

Pancreatic cells monitor blood glucose. Insulin and glucagon are hormones. Low glucose level induces the production of glucagon. α cells of pancreatic islets produce glucagon. Glucagon stimulates the liver to break down glycogen into glucose. Glucagon leads to an increase in blood glucose levels absorption of glucose from the digestive tract causes glucose levels to rise (after meals). A high level of blood glucose induces the production of insulin. β cells of pancreatic islets produce insulin. Insulin stimulates the uptake of glucose into cells (muscles). Insulin stimulates the uptake of glucose into the liver and the storage of glucose as glycogen in the liver. Insulin leads to a decrease in blood glucose levels. Homeostatic monitoring of blood glucose levels is constantly happening. Blood glucose regulation is an example of negative feedback.

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