IB Biology HL · 2025
1.2 Nucleic acids
29 past paper questions from 14 papers across 4 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
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HL archive · 2025 to 2026
1.2 Nucleic acids
Latest exam session: May 2026
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Micro-topics in 1.2 Nucleic acids
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 2 of them have no matching questions in this archive.
1.2.1
DNA as the genetic material of all living organisms
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Regular
last May 26 P2 TZ1
- Less common
last May 25 P2 TZ3
- Less common
last Spec 25 P1
- Less common
last May 26 P2 TZ1
- Frequently tested
last May 26 P2 TZ3
- Less common
last May 25 P2 TZ3
- Less common
last Spec 25 P1
1.2.9
Diversity of DNA base sequences and the capacity to store information
1 question · in 6% of papers
Less commonlast Nov 25 P2 TZ1
1.2.10
Conservation of the genetic code across all life forms
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Less common
last May 25 P2 TZ3
- Less common
last May 25 P1 TZ2
- Regular
last Nov 25 P1 TZ1
1.2.14
Evidence from the Hershey–Chase experiment for DNA as the genetic material
2 questions · in 11% of papers
Occasionallast Nov 25 P1 TZ1
- Occasional
last May 26 P1 TZ3
Exam pattern
How often each micro-topic has been examined, year by year. Each label is explained under the grid.
Does it repeat?
Top 4 of 13 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 4DNA as a double helix of two antiparallel strands, 2025: 4 questions | 1DNA as a double helix of two antiparallel strands, 2026: 1 question | |
| 7Structure of a nucleosome, 2025: 7 questions | ·Structure of a nucleosome, 2026: 0 questions | |
| 1Components of a nucleotide, 2025: 1 question | 3Components of a nucleotide, 2026: 3 questions | |
| 2Chargaff's data on the amounts of purine and pyrimidine bases, 2025: 2 questions | 1Chargaff's data on the amounts of purine and pyrimidine bases, 2026: 1 question |
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Questions on 1.2 Nucleic acids, by exam session
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Biology HL exam sessions are covered for 1.2 Nucleic acids?
4 exam sessions from 2025 to 2026, the latest May 2026. Every Paper 1 and 2 in every timezone is read and classified in full, which gives 14 papers in this archive.
Which 1.2 Nucleic acids topic comes up most?
DNA as a double helix of two antiparallel strands (1.2.6): in 28% of papers, last seen May 26 P2 TZ3. Usually "Identify", worth about 2.8 marks in a paper that includes it.
Can I see the original question and mark scheme?
No. The wording belongs to the IB. You get the citation, the marks, the command term and the skill tested, plus our own matched practice questions with worked answers and AI marking.
What do "banker", "due" and "rising" mean?
Banker: examined in at least one sitting in four and still appearing. Due: regular before, but absent for the last two exam sessions. Rising: clearly more common in the last two years. Our classification of real papers, not an IB statistic.
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