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IBBiologySLExam QuestionsForm & FunctionCell Specialisation

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Cell Specialisation (SL IB Biology)

Exam Questions

43 mins16 questions

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Cell Specialisation

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Cell Specialisation

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11 mark

Which of the following options is not a source of stem cells? 

  • Umbilical cord blood

  • Bone marrow

  • An embryo

  • Blood plasma

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21 mark

What happens to the surface area:volume ratio of a cell as the cell grows and increases in size?

  • It does not change

  • It increases

  • It decreases

  • It doubles as the cell doubles in size

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3
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Which of the following is true of stem cells?

I. Cells in early-stage animal embryos are totipotent. 

II. Stem cells in adult tissue are multipotent.

III. Pluripotent stem cells are formed in adult tissue. 

  • I and II only.

  • II and III only. 

  • I and III only. 

  • II only. 

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11 mark

Which property of stem cells makes them suitable for use in medicine?

  • They can differentiate into specialised cells

  • They can produce chemicals that destroy viruses

  • They can form gametes when they divide by mitosis

  • They have chromosomes that are suitable for gene transfer

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2
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The cube below has sides that measure 2 cm in length. e-q4

Which of the following represents the correct surface area : volume ratio of this cube?

  • 1:1

  • 6:1

  • 3:1

  • 2:1

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3
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The proximal convoluted tubule cells in the nephron are adapted by having microvilli and invaginations. 

What is the purpose of these adaptations?

  • To provide a large surface area to volume ratio.

  • To allow reabsorption of glucose due to a short diffusion pathway. 

  • To provide a large volume to surface area ratio. 

  • To provide a steep concentration gradient for reabsorption of glucose.

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11 mark

Current research is making great advances in the therapeutic use of stem cells. Embryonic stem cells are delivering promising results in treating diseases such as Stargardt’s disease due to their unique characteristics.

Which of the following are not characteristics of embryonic stem cells?

  • They have the potential to develop into any type of tissue if taken within the first few days after fertilisation

  • They can be stimulated in a laboratory setting to develop into any specialised cell type

  • A small number remain in many tissues of the body, such as bone marrow, skin and the liver to replace damaged or dead cells

  • They can divide an unlimited number of times to produce a large number of cells that can become specialised

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21 mark

The cells of bacteria are on average 1-5 µm long, whereas human cells are on average 100 µm in diameter. 

What is the main limiting factor preventing the bacterial cells from growing to the same size as human cells? 

  • The rate of cell division would be too slow to allow colonisation of new areas

  • The structure of bacterial cell walls limits the size of the cell

  • A larger size would limit cell motility

  • The rate of diffusion at the cell surface does not increase quickly enough

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