IB Biology HL · 2025

2.5 Cell specialization

14 past paper questions from 11 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

2.5 Cell specialization

Latest exam session: May 2026

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By year5micro-topics

Micro-topics in 2.5 Cell specialization

In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 5 of them have no matching questions in this archive.

  • 0

    2.5.1

    Production of unspecialized cells following fertilization and their development into specialized cells by differentiation

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 0

    2.5.2

    Properties of stem cells

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 0

    2.5.3

    Location and function of stem cell niches in adult humans

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 39

    2.5.4

    Differences between totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells

    7 questions · in 39% of papers

    Frequently tested

    last May 26 P1 TZ3

  • 0

    2.5.5

    Cell size as an aspect of specialization

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it
  • 6

    2.5.6

    Surface area-to-volume ratios and constraints on cell size

    1 question · in 6% of papers

    Less common

    last Nov 25 P2 TZ1

  • 11

    2.5.7

    Adaptations to increase surface area-to-volume ratios of cells

    2 questions · in 11% of papers

    Occasional

    last May 26 P2 TZ1

  • 6

    2.5.8

    Adaptations of type I and type II pneumocytes in alveoli

    1 question · in 6% of papers

    Less common

    last May 25 P1 TZ1

  • 17

    2.5.9

    Adaptations of cardiac muscle cells and striated muscle fibres

    3 questions · in 17% of papers

    Regular

    last May 26 P1 TZ1

  • 0

    2.5.10

    Adaptations of sperm and egg cells

    No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed

    No matches in this archiveRevise it

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 5 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.

fewermore

Micro-topic20252026
2.5.4Differences between totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent stem cellsFrequently tested
5Differences between totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, 2025: 5 questions2Differences between totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells, 2026: 2 questions
2.5.9Adaptations of cardiac muscle cells and striated muscle fibresRegular
2Adaptations of cardiac muscle cells and striated muscle fibres, 2025: 2 questions1Adaptations of cardiac muscle cells and striated muscle fibres, 2026: 1 question
2.5.7Adaptations to increase surface area-to-volume ratios of cellsOccasional
1Adaptations to increase surface area-to-volume ratios of cells, 2025: 1 question1Adaptations to increase surface area-to-volume ratios of cells, 2026: 1 question
2.5.8Adaptations of type I and type II pneumocytes in alveoliLess common
1Adaptations of type I and type II pneumocytes in alveoli, 2025: 1 question·Adaptations of type I and type II pneumocytes in alveoli, 2026: 0 questions

1 more micro-topics with a free account

  • Frequently testedin at least a quarter of all papers, and still appearing in the last two years
  • Regularin roughly one paper in six or more
  • Occasionalin about one paper in ten
  • Less commonin fewer than one paper in fifteen

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Questions on 2.5 Cell specialization, by exam session

Which papers asked about 2.5 Cell specialization, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.

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Frequently asked questions

Short answers about this page.

Which Biology HL exam sessions are covered for 2.5 Cell specialization?

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 11 papers in this archive.

Which 2.5 Cell specialization topic comes up most?

Differences between totipotent, pluripotent and multipotent stem cells (2.5.4): in 39% of papers, last seen May 26 P1 TZ3. Usually "Identify", worth about 1 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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