Unit 1: Unity and Diversity
Topic 1.3: Origins of Cells (HL) Questions
Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Biology Topic 1.3. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.
2State1 mark
State what is meant by the term 'RNA world'.
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What does it mean to say the first organic molecules formed 'abiotically'?
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Why is the cell described as the unit of life?
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State what is meant by the cell being the 'unit of life'.
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State what is meant by the term protocell.
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In the Miller-Urey experiment, why was the gas mixture sparked with electricity?
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State what is meant by the abiotic synthesis of organic molecules.
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Approximately when did the first living cells arise on Earth?
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List, in the correct order, the four stages by which the first cells are thought to have formed from non-living matter.
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Phospholipids placed in water arrange themselves into a bilayer vesicle without any enzymes.
What drives this self-assembly?
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Besides concentrating reactants, which is another advantage that a membrane compartment gave to early self-replicating molecules?
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Inside a protocell the products of a reaction stay in the internal space, whereas in the open water they drift away.
Suggest why retaining products inside the compartment was advantageous for early protocells.
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Unlock Question17Outline3 marks
Outline how energy and starting materials were supplied in the Miller-Urey experiment to drive the synthesis of organic molecules.
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Other than the early atmosphere, name two proposed sources of the first organic molecules on Earth, and for each give one supporting detail.
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Explain why a reducing (oxygen-free) atmosphere was important for the prebiotic synthesis and accumulation of organic molecules on the early Earth.
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Outline how scientists estimate the time at which LUCA existed.
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