IBBiologyDPHLExam QuestionsUnity & DiversityDiversity of Organisms

Diversity of Organisms (DP IB Biology: HL): Exam Questions

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Diversity of Organisms

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11 mark

Which is the correct definition for a species according to the biological species concept?

  • A group of organisms which look similar.

  • A group of organisms with similar characteristics.

  • A group of organisms which can interbreed to produce fertile offspring.

  • A group of living things.

Choose your answer

21 mark

Which of the following statements about genomes is not correct? 

  • Humans have around 20 000 genes

  • Species vary in the number of genes they have

  • The number of genes of an organism is not proportional to genome size

  • Humans have the most genes of any organism

Choose your answer

31 mark

The image shows a karyogram.

karyogram-showing-a-typical-karyotype-1

Which of the statements about the karyogram is correct?

  • The source of DNA for the karyogram was a haploid cell.

  • All 23 pairs of chromosomes are arranged in descending order of size.

  • Chromosomes banding is visible.

  • The source of DNA for the karyogram was a human cell.

Choose your answer

41 mark

What is an appropriate unit for comparing the length of genomes?

  • Micrometers

  • Nanometers

  • Picometer

  • Million base pairs

Choose your answer

51 mark

What is the most efficient way to compare the genome sizes of different species?

  • Read scientific articles and extract relevant information.

  • Extract information from an online database.

  • Compare the chromosome number of the different species.

  • Compare the proteome size of the different species.

Choose your answer

11 mark

Which of the following series of statements about genome sequencingis correct?

A

Scientists now know the location and role of every human gene

The genomes of humans are the only genomes to be sequenced in their entirety

Advancing computer technology means that the rate at which a genome can be sequenced continues to increase

B

Scientists can now look for correlations between changes in a gene and particular human traits

The genomes of humans are the only genomes to be sequenced in their entirety

Genome sequencing technology is now so advanced that further developments are not expected

C

Scientists can now look for correlations between changes in a gene and particular human traits

The genomes of many species have now been sequenced

Advancing computer technology means that the rate at which a genome can be sequenced continues to increase

D

Scientists can now look for correlations between changes in a gene and particular human traits

The genomes of many species have now been sequenced

Genome sequencing technology is now so advanced that further developments are not expected

    Choose your answer

    21 mark

    Dichotomous keys can be used to identify species from their observable features.

    To which order of insects does the insect below belong? Note that the insect is shown at rest and not in flight.

    YSWNzDHi_2

    1

    Hard wing cases are present. . . . . . . . . .

    Hard wing cases are not present. . . . . . . . . .

    Coleoptera

    Go to 2

    2

    Wings are not membranous (not thin and translucent). . . . .

    Wings are membranous (thin and translucent). . . . .

    Go to 3

    Go to 4 

    3

    Wings are leathery. . . . . .

    Wings are scaly. . . . . .

    Orthoptera

    Lepidoptera 

    4

    Only one pair of wings used to fly (the second pair is very small). . 

    Two equal-sized pairs of wings are used to fly. . . . . .

    Diptera 

    Go to 5

    5

    Wings held out at right-angle to body when resting. . . . .

    Wings are folded over the body when resting. . . . .

    Odonata

    Hemiptera 

    • Lepidoptera

    • Odonata

    • Coleoptera

    • Hemiptera

    Choose your answer

    31 mark

    Which of the following presents a difficulty when applying the biological species concept?

    • Sexual reproduction

    • Horizontal gene transfer

    • Gamete incompatibility

    • Linnaean classification

    Choose your answer

    11 mark

    The two karyotypes belong to a donkey (Q) and a horse (R).

    h-31

    Breeding these two individuals resulted in the production of a sterile mule (S).

    Why would S be sterile?

    • The sex of the mule (S) will be undetermined at birth due to the unnatural combination of chromosomes

    • Different combinations of alleles formed as a result of crossbreeding Q and R which leads to disadvantageous characteristics in S

    • There are different numbers of chromosomes in the gametes of Q and R so S would not live long enough to breed

    • The process of meiosis will not be possible in S as homologous pairs cannot form

    Choose your answer