IB Biology HL · 2025
4.2 Protein synthesis
22 past paper questions from 13 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
4.2 Protein synthesis
Latest exam session: May 2026
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Micro-topics in 4.2 Protein synthesis
In syllabus order. The ring is the share of papers each appears in. 9 of them have no matching questions in this archive.
- Occasional
last May 26 P2 TZ1
4.2.2
Role of hydrogen bonding and complementary base pairing in transcription
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it4.2.3
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it4.2.4
Transcription as a process required for the expression of genes
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Less common
last May 25 P1 TZ3
- Regular
last May 26 P2 TZ2
4.2.7
Complementary base pairing between tRNA and mRNA
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Regular
last May 26 P1 TZ3
- Less common
last May 25 P1 TZ2
4.2.10
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Less common
last May 25 P1 TZ2
4.2.12
Directionality of transcription and translation
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it4.2.13
Initiation of transcription at the promoter
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Less common
last Spec 25 P1
- Occasional
last May 26 P2 TZ1
4.2.16
Alternative splicing of exons to produce variants of a protein from a single gene
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Occasional
last May 26 P2 TZ2
4.2.18
Modification of polypeptides into their functional state
No question tagged to this topic in the 18 Biology HL papers analysed
No matches in this archiveRevise it- Occasional
last May 26 P2 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 10 micro-topics for the next sitting. Numbers are questions per year.
fewermore
| Micro-topic | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 3Features of the genetic code, 2025: 3 questions | 1Features of the genetic code, 2026: 1 question | |
| 1Roles of mRNA, ribosomes and tRNA in translation, 2025: 1 question | 2Roles of mRNA, ribosomes and tRNA in translation, 2026: 2 questions | |
| ·Recycling of amino acids by proteasomes, 2025: 0 questions | 4Recycling of amino acids by proteasomes, 2026: 4 questions | |
| 1Initiation of translation, 2025: 1 question | 2Initiation of translation, 2026: 2 questions |
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Questions on 4.2 Protein synthesis, by exam session
Which papers asked about 4.2 Protein synthesis, and which question numbers. Open a paper to see them highlighted.
May 2026
6 questions across 5 papers
November 2025
2 questions across 2 papers
May 2025
7 questions across 5 papers
Specimen 2025
1 question across 1 paper
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Frequently asked questions
Short answers about this page.
Which Biology HL exam sessions are covered for 4.2 Protein synthesis?
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 13 papers in this archive.
Which 4.2 Protein synthesis topic comes up most?
Features of the genetic code (4.2.8): in 22% of papers, last seen May 26 P1 TZ3. Usually "Identify", worth about 1.8 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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