A2.1 Origins of cells (HL) - IB Questionbank | RevisionDojo

A2.1 Origins of cells (HL) Questionbank

Practice A2.1 Origins of cells (HL) 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

HLPaper 1A

The table shows that the codon UUU codes for phenylalanine in humans, yeast, and E. coli. It also shows that ribosomal RNA sequences are conserved across these groups.

Codon	Amino Acid	Human	Yeast	E. coli
UUU	Phenylalanine	✓	✓	✓
rRNA gene region	Sequence conserved	✓	✓	✓

What does this genomic conservation provide evidence for?

Question 2

HLPaper 1A

Looking at the diagram, which feature was critical in simulating conditions on early Earth?

Question 3

HLPaper 1A

The diagram shows RNA molecules catalysing reactions. Why is RNA thought to be the first genetic material?

Question 4

SLPaper 1A

Which statement provides evidence for endosymbiosis?

Question 5

HLPaper 2

Describe the experimental setup and the main findings of the Miller-Urey experiment. [5 marks]

[5]

Explain the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the origin of life on Earth. [5 marks]

[5]

Question 6

SLPaper 1A

The electron micrograph shows a section through a cell and refers to questions 1 and 2.

Which feature of the cell in the micrograph is consistent with the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 7

HLPaper 2

Explain how the process of endosymbiosis led to the development of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

[7]

Question 8

SLPaper 1A

How do both mitochondria and chloroplasts provide evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 9

HLPaper 2

With reference to the process of prebiotic synthesis shown in the diagram, explain how hydrothermal vents could have provided the necessary conditions for the synthesis of organic compounds.

[4]

Question 10

HLPaper 1A

Which organelles are thought to have originated through the process of endosymbiosis?

Paper

Level

Question 1

HLPaper 1A

The table shows that the codon UUU codes for phenylalanine in humans, yeast, and E. coli. It also shows that ribosomal RNA sequences are conserved across these groups.

Codon	Amino Acid	Human	Yeast	E. coli
UUU	Phenylalanine	✓	✓	✓
rRNA gene region	Sequence conserved	✓	✓	✓

What does this genomic conservation provide evidence for?

Question 2

HLPaper 1A

Looking at the diagram, which feature was critical in simulating conditions on early Earth?

Question 3

HLPaper 1A

The diagram shows RNA molecules catalysing reactions. Why is RNA thought to be the first genetic material?

Question 4

SLPaper 1A

Which statement provides evidence for endosymbiosis?

Question 5

HLPaper 2

Describe the experimental setup and the main findings of the Miller-Urey experiment. [5 marks]

[5]

Explain the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the origin of life on Earth. [5 marks]

[5]

Question 6

SLPaper 1A

The electron micrograph shows a section through a cell and refers to questions 1 and 2.

Which feature of the cell in the micrograph is consistent with the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 7

HLPaper 2

Explain how the process of endosymbiosis led to the development of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

[7]

Question 8

SLPaper 1A

How do both mitochondria and chloroplasts provide evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 9

HLPaper 2

With reference to the process of prebiotic synthesis shown in the diagram, explain how hydrothermal vents could have provided the necessary conditions for the synthesis of organic compounds.

[4]

Question 10

HLPaper 1A

Which organelles are thought to have originated through the process of endosymbiosis?

Paper

Level

Question 1

HLPaper 1A

The table shows that the codon UUU codes for phenylalanine in humans, yeast, and E. coli. It also shows that ribosomal RNA sequences are conserved across these groups.

Codon	Amino Acid	Human	Yeast	E. coli
UUU	Phenylalanine	✓	✓	✓
rRNA gene region	Sequence conserved	✓	✓	✓

What does this genomic conservation provide evidence for?

Question 2

HLPaper 1A

Looking at the diagram, which feature was critical in simulating conditions on early Earth?

Question 3

HLPaper 1A

The diagram shows RNA molecules catalysing reactions. Why is RNA thought to be the first genetic material?

Question 4

SLPaper 1A

Which statement provides evidence for endosymbiosis?

Question 5

HLPaper 2

Describe the experimental setup and the main findings of the Miller-Urey experiment. [5 marks]

[5]

Explain the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the origin of life on Earth. [5 marks]

[5]

Question 6

SLPaper 1A

The electron micrograph shows a section through a cell and refers to questions 1 and 2.

Which feature of the cell in the micrograph is consistent with the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 7

HLPaper 2

Explain how the process of endosymbiosis led to the development of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

[7]

Question 8

SLPaper 1A

How do both mitochondria and chloroplasts provide evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 9

HLPaper 2

With reference to the process of prebiotic synthesis shown in the diagram, explain how hydrothermal vents could have provided the necessary conditions for the synthesis of organic compounds.

[4]

Question 10

HLPaper 1A

Which organelles are thought to have originated through the process of endosymbiosis?

Paper

Level

Question 1

HLPaper 1A

The table shows that the codon UUU codes for phenylalanine in humans, yeast, and E. coli. It also shows that ribosomal RNA sequences are conserved across these groups.

Codon	Amino Acid	Human	Yeast	E. coli
UUU	Phenylalanine	✓	✓	✓
rRNA gene region	Sequence conserved	✓	✓	✓

What does this genomic conservation provide evidence for?

Question 2

HLPaper 1A

Looking at the diagram, which feature was critical in simulating conditions on early Earth?

Question 3

HLPaper 1A

The diagram shows RNA molecules catalysing reactions. Why is RNA thought to be the first genetic material?

Question 4

SLPaper 1A

Which statement provides evidence for endosymbiosis?

Question 5

HLPaper 2

Describe the experimental setup and the main findings of the Miller-Urey experiment. [5 marks]

[5]

Explain the significance of the Miller-Urey experiment in understanding the origin of life on Earth. [5 marks]

[5]

Question 6

SLPaper 1A

The electron micrograph shows a section through a cell and refers to questions 1 and 2.

Which feature of the cell in the micrograph is consistent with the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 7

HLPaper 2

Explain how the process of endosymbiosis led to the development of mitochondria and chloroplasts in eukaryotic cells.

[7]

Question 8

SLPaper 1A

How do both mitochondria and chloroplasts provide evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?

Question 9

HLPaper 2

With reference to the process of prebiotic synthesis shown in the diagram, explain how hydrothermal vents could have provided the necessary conditions for the synthesis of organic compounds.

[4]

Question 10

HLPaper 1A

Which organelles are thought to have originated through the process of endosymbiosis?