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IB Biology HL - 2024 - Questionbank

1.5 - The Origin of Cells

Origin of Cells, Universal code, Endosymbiotic theory, Pasteur and Spontaneous Generation

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Paper 3

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Question 1

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Which statement(s) about the endosymbiotic theory is/are true?

  • I. \hspace{1em} It provides evidence for the origin of prokaryotes.
  • II. \hspace{.7em} It provides evidence for the origin of eukaryotes.
  • III. \hspace{.5em} It provides evidence for spontaneous generation.


  • A. \hspace{1em} II only

  • B. \hspace{1em} I only

  • C. \hspace{1em} II and III only

  • D. \hspace{1em} I, II and III

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Question 2

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What provides evidence that all life on Earth evolved from the same population of cells?


  • A. \hspace{1em} Eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells.

  • B. \hspace{1em} Both mitochondria and prokaryotes have a cell wall.

  • C. \hspace{1em} Both eukaryotes and bacteria contain histones.

  • D. \hspace{1em} The genetic code is universal.

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Question 3

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Whose experiments disproved spontaneous generation?


  • A. \hspace{1em} Miller and Urey

  • B. \hspace{1em} Louis Pasteur

  • C. \hspace{1em} Rosalind Franklin

  • D. \hspace{1em} Meselson and Stahl

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Question 4

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Which statement(s) is/are a necessary requirement for the evolution of the first cells?

  • I.DNA having the ability to catalyse reactions
    II.Polymerisation of carbon compounds
    III.Spontaneous formation of vesicles


  • A.\hspace{1em} I and II only

  • B.\hspace{1em} II and III only

  • C.\hspace{1em} I and III only

  • D.\hspace{1em} I, II and III

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Question 5

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[Maximum mark: 3]

The diagram below shows the apparatus used in the experiments conducted by Miller and Urey.

image [Source: Carny. (2008, February 4). File: Miller-Urey Experiment-EN.SVG. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved May 20, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Miller-Urey_experiment-en.svg. Copyright free]


Describe how this experiment showed that the origin of life was possible on early Earth. [3]

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Question 6

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Which statement provides evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?


  • A. \hspace{1em} Phospholipids readily form bilayers.

  • B. \hspace{1em} Chloroplasts possess a double membrane.

  • C. \hspace{1em} RNA is self-replicating.

  • D. \hspace{1em} Mitochondria possess a single membrane.

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Question 7

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What feature of chloroplasts provides evidence for the endosymbiotic theory?


  • A. \hspace{1em} They have their own nucleus.

  • B. \hspace{1em} They have a single membrane.

  • C. \hspace{1em} They contain 70S ribosomes.

  • D. \hspace{1em} They contain a thylakoid membrane.

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Question 8

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Which process is most likely responsible for the origin of mitochondria as a eukaryotic cell organelle?


  • A.\hspace{1em} Osmosis

  • B.\hspace{1em} Exocytosis

  • C.\hspace{1em} Apoptosis

  • D.\hspace{1em} Endocytosis

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Question 9

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[Maximum mark: 10]

Researchers carried out a similar experiment to Louis Pasteur’s famous experiment disproving spontaneous generation, using the set up below at 30°C.

BI0810A [© Revision Village 2023. Created with Chemix (https://chemix.org)]

  1. Outline the theory of spontaneous generation. [1]

    1. State two variables that must be controlled in this experiment. [2]

    2. Explain why it is important to have controlled variables in this study. [1]

    1. State the letters of three flasks which would show signs of decomposition of broth. [1]

    2. Explain your answer to part (i). [3]

  2. Suggest, with reasons, how the results of the study would differ if the flasks were incubated at 4°C. [2]

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Question 10

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[Maximum mark: 7]

    1. Identify an organelle visible in the figure below whose structure provides evidence for the endosymbiotic theory. [1]

    424a [Source: Adapted from Itayba, Hebrew Wikipedia. (2016, March 1). Category: Electron Microscope Images. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Electron_microscopy.jpg. Copyright under CC-SA 3.0]

    1. Label with the letter S an example of the organelle that you named in part (i). [1]

    2. Describe three features of the organelle named in part (i) that support the endosymbiotic theory. [3]

  1. Compare and contrast the structure of a mitochondrion and typical prokaryote. [2]

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Question 11

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Which statements about chloroplasts and mitochondria support the endosymbiotic theory?


ChloroplastsMitochondria
\hspace{1em}A.\hspace{1em}Contain 70S ribosomesContain cristae
\hspace{1em}B.\hspace{1em}Found in prokaryotesContain 80S ribosomes
\hspace{1em}C.\hspace{1em}Have a single membraneContain circular DNA
\hspace{1em}D.\hspace{1em}Contain 70S ribosomesHave a double membrane

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Question 12

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Louis Pasteur's famous experiments disproving spontaneous generation were replicated by placing broth into various flasks.

BI0415 [ © Revision Village. Created using BioRender.com ]


Which two flasks would show the presence of microorganisms in the results?


  • A. \hspace{1em} R and S

  • B. \hspace{1em} S and Q

  • C. \hspace{1em} Q and R

  • D. \hspace{1em} P and Q

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Question 13

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The base sequence between two species was found to be 78% the same, while the order of amino acids found in the same cell types between two species was 82% the same. What may be the reason for this?


  • A.\hspace{1em} The genetic code is degenerate.

  • B.\hspace{1em} Mutations occur more frequently in DNA that codes for proteins.

  • C.\hspace{1em} Techniques used to analyse base sequences of DNA are less reliable.

  • D.\hspace{1em} The genetic code is universal.

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Question 14

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[Maximum mark: 16]

  1. Outline the role of auxin in positive phototropism. [3]

  2. Explain the evidence that supports the theory that eukaryotic cells evolved from prokaryotic cells. [5]

  3. Explain how the products of the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis are used in the light-independent stage to convert carbon dioxide into organic substances. [7]

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Question 15

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[Maximum mark: 16]

  1. Draw and label a structure of a mitochondrion. [3]

  2. Explain how Louis Pasteur's experiments disproved the theory of spontaneous generation. [5]

  3. Describe the evidence for the endosymbiotic theory. [7]

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Question 16

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Which statement applies to both mitochondria and prokaryotes?


  • A. \hspace{1em} They both contain DNA.

  • B. \hspace{1em} They both have flagella.

  • C. \hspace{1em} They both contain lysosomes.

  • D. \hspace{1em} They both have a cell wall.

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Question 17

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Which characteristic is not true for both mitochondria and chloroplasts?


  • A. \hspace{1em} They are present in both eukaryotes and prokaryotes.

  • B. \hspace{1em} They are both able to self replicate.

  • C. \hspace{1em} They are both able to synthesise proteins.

  • D. \hspace{1em} They both contain circular DNA.

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Question 18

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The electron micrograph shows an animal cell.

BI0416i_1.5

[Source: Adapted from Itayba, Hebrew Wikipedia. (2016, March 1). Category: Electron Microscope Images. Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved May 19, 2022, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File: Electron_microscopy.jpg. Copyright under CC-SA 3.0]


Which organelle's origin is due to the endosymbiosis of ancient cells?

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Question 19

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Which organism contains DNA in exactly two different organelles?


  • A.\hspace{1em} A tree

  • B.\hspace{1em} A mushroom

  • C.\hspace{1em} An Archaeon

  • D.\hspace{1em} A seaweed

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