Practice 1.4 Membrane transport with authentic IB Biology exam questions for both SL and HL students. This question bank mirrors Paper 1A, 1B, 2 structure, covering key topics like cell biology, genetics, and ecology. Get instant solutions, detailed explanations, and build exam confidence with questions in the style of IB examiners.
Paper
Level
Question 1
SLPaper 1A
Which of the following characteristics found in a structure necessarily indicates that it is alive?
Question 2
SLPaper 1A
The data below shows the concentrations of three ions in a frog.
| Ion | Concentration / mmol dm | |
|---|---|---|
| Extracellular fluid | Cytoplasm | |
| 110.0 | 13.0 | |
| 138.0 | 2.5 | |
| 3.0 | 90.0 |
What best explains the distribution of ions?
Question 3
SLPaper 1A
What can the extracellular matrix of cells be made of?
I. Polysaccharide II. Glycoprotein III. Phospholipid
Question 4
SLPaper 2
1.[5]
Describe the genetic code and its relationship to polypeptides and proteins.
2.[5]
Outline the role of proteins in active and passive transport of molecules through membranes.
3.[8]
Many cell functions, like synthesis of macromolecules and transport, require energy in the form of ATP. Explain how ATP is generated in animal cells.
Question 5
HLPaper 1A
The diagram is a model of one type of movement across a membrane.
[Source: CAMPBELL, NEIL A.; REECE, JANE B., BIOLOGY, 7th, ©2005, p. 134. Reprinted by permission of Pearson Education, Inc., New York, New York.]
What is this type of movement?
Question 6
SLPaper 1A
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 80 S ribosomes |
| C. | contains mitochondria | contains mitochondria |
| D. | contains DNA enclosed by a membrane | contains DNA associated with protein |
Question 7
SLPaper 2
1.[5]
Draw a labelled diagram of the molecular structure of DNA, comprising of four nucleotides.
2.[5]
Outline the therapeutic use of stem cells.
3.[5]
Giving one specific example, discuss genetic modification in organisms including the potential benefits and possible harmful effects.
Question 8
HLPaper 1A
Which processes are represented by the labels in the diagram below?
| I | II |
|---|---|
| A phagocyte ingesting a microbe by exocytosis. | Digestion of the microbe with the help of the Golgi apparatus. |
| A phagocyte ingesting a microbe by endocytosis. | Digestion of the microbe with the help of a lysosome. |
| A phagocyte ingesting a microbe by exocytosis. | Digestion of the microbe with the help of a lysosome. |
| A phagocyte ingesting a microbe by endocytosis. | Digestion of the microbe with the help of the Golgi apparatus. |
Question 9
HLPaper 1A
Which type of transportation happens in the sodium-potassium pump?
Question 10
SLPaper 1A
The diagrams represent cells with the same concentration of dissolved substances in their cytoplasm. If all the cells were placed in the same hypertonic sucrose solution, which cell would show the greatest rate of change in the concentration of its cytoplasm?
