To what extent does the increase in frequency of the −13910*T allele (rs4988235) in European populations over the past 2,000 years provide evidence for strong positive natural selection associated with dairying practices?SL
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A
Official IB Result
IB Grade: A
Criteria A: Focus and Method
6/6
0
3
6
Criteria StrandsPro
A.1Topic communication and explanation
Excellent
A.2Research question formulation and focus
Good
A.3Methodology appropriateness and completeness
Moderate
Criteria Feedback
- The student communicates a biologically appropriate topic clearly and maintains a consistent link to lactase persistence throughout the essay.
- The student explains the regulatory role of rs4988235/-13910*T and connects it well to gene expression, dairying, and human evolution.
- The student shows a generally purposeful selection of sources and a credible overall method for a secondary-data investigation.
- The student's topic background is sometimes broader than necessary and occasionally gets ahead of the evidence.
- The student's methodology needs more precision and reproducibility, especially around sample sizes, source provenance, and how the time-series values were chosen and compared.
- The student's research question is focused, but the population scope remains too broad for the level of precision needed.
Criteria B: Knowledge and Understanding
6/6
0
3
6
Criteria StrandsPro
B.1Application of source material
Moderate
B.2Use of terminology and concepts
Excellent
Criteria Feedback
- The student uses population-genetics and molecular-biology terminology accurately and consistently across most of the essay.
- The student applies source material well to explain the functional effect of the allele and the evolutionary significance of lactase persistence.
- The student shows clear understanding of the difference between a regulatory variant and a coding change.
- Some source use is more descriptive than analytical, and the evidence is not always traced back with enough precision to specific populations or data points.
- A few terms and interpretations are slightly overextended, especially when translating model-based estimates into direct biological claims.
- The student would benefit from using the standard term lactase persistence consistently and from qualifying quantitative interpretations more carefully.
Criteria C: Critical Thinking
11/12
0
6
12
Criteria StrandsPro
C.1Research analysis
Moderate
C.2Discussion and evaluation
Moderate
C.3Argument development
Moderate
Criteria Feedback
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Criteria D: Presentation
4/4
0
2
4
Criteria StrandsPro
D.1Structure appropriateness
Excellent
D.2Layout and formatting
Good
Criteria Feedback
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- Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat.
- Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur.
- Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.