IB Biology HL · 2025
3.9 Transfers of energy and matter
9 past paper questions from 6 papers across 2 exam sessions. See what repeats, then practise the same skills with AI marking.
Original Exam Vault questions with AI markscheme feedback for this topic.
HL archive · 2025 to 2026
3.9 Transfers of energy and matter
Latest exam session: May 2026
- questions
- 9
- questions
- papers
- 6
- papers
- exam sessions
- 2
- exam sessions
- micro-topics
- 5
Micro-topics in 3.9 Transfers of energy and matter
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in.
3.9.1
Modes of nutrition & autotrophs vs heterotrophs
3 questions · in 38% of papersAppears in 3 of the 8 Biology HL papers analysed (38%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast May 25 P2 TZ3
3.9.2
Food chains, food webs & trophic levels
2 questions · in 25% of papersAppears in 2 of the 8 Biology HL papers analysed (25%), at least once each.
Frequently testedlast May 25 P2 TZ2
3.9.3
Energy losses & pyramids of energy
1 question · in 13% of papersAppears in 1 of the 8 Biology HL papers analysed (13%), at least once each.
Occasionallast May 26 P1 TZA
3.9.4
Pollutants in food chains: bioaccumulation & biomagnification
2 questions · in 13% of papersAppears in 1 of the 8 Biology HL papers analysed (13%), at least once each.
Occasionallast May 25 P1 TZ2
3.9.5
1 question · in 13% of papersAppears in 1 of the 8 Biology HL papers analysed (13%), at least once each.
Occasionallast May 25 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 5 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 3Modes of nutrition & autotrophs vs heterotrophs, 2025: 3 questions | ·Modes of nutrition & autotrophs vs heterotrophs, 2026: 0 questions | |
| 2Food chains, food webs & trophic levels, 2025: 2 questions | ·Food chains, food webs & trophic levels, 2026: 0 questions | |
| 2Pollutants in food chains: bioaccumulation & biomagnification, 2025: 2 questions | ·Pollutants in food chains: bioaccumulation & biomagnification, 2026: 0 questions | |
| ·Energy losses & pyramids of energy, 2025: 0 questions | 1Energy losses & pyramids of energy, 2026: 1 question |
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
- Occasionalin about one paper in ten
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Questions on 3.9 Transfers of energy and matter, by exam session
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Biology HL exam sessions are covered for 3.9 Transfers of energy and matter?
2 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 6 papers in this archive.
Which 3.9 Transfers of energy and matter topic comes up most?
Modes of nutrition & autotrophs vs heterotrophs (3.9.1): in 38% of papers, last seen May 25 P2 TZ3. Usually "identify", worth about 2.3 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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