First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.1 Origin of cells

Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Name ___________________ Time allowed: No SL / 20 mins HL

Mark: / 0(SL) 16(HL)

Multiple choice questions (3 marks)

1. Why are fatty acids or phospholipids important in the formation of cells and their components?

A. They are soluble,

B. They allow compartmentalisation of cells and organelles.
C. They only allow compartmentalisation of the nucleus.
D. They form cell walls.

2. What is the acronym of the organism from which Homo sapiens is believed to have originally
evolved?
A. LUCY
B. LUCA
C. HOMO
D. HELA

3. Which of the following describes the conditions on early, pre-biotic Earth?

Concentration of free Concentration of Concentration of

oxygen ozone carbon dioxide

A Almost zero High Low

B Almost zero High High

C Low Low Low

D Almost zero Almost zero High

© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.1 Origin of cells
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Structured answer questions

4. Viruses are said to be non-living.

List two reasons that viruses cannot be considered as living organisms.
(2 marks)

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5. Explain why RNA, rather than DNA, likely to be the first genetic material in living organisms.
(2 marks)

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6. The Miller-Urey experiment produced organic molecules in an atmosphere that, in 1952,

was thought to have been like the atmosphere on earth prior to the evolution of life.
In which way was the experiment’s model atmosphere different from today’s scientific
understanding of the atmosphere at the origin of life on earth?
(1 mark)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

2
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – HL Topic A2.1 Origin of cells
Theme A - Unity and diversity Level of Organisation: Cells

Extended response questions

4. Explain why the conditions on Earth today make the spontaneous formation of organic
carbon compounds less likely compared to the conditions on Earth at the time of the origin
of life.
(4 marks)

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5. List the essential features that the first cells must have possessed to be able to live and
evolve into the life forms that followed.
(4 marks)

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© Richard Scarr & David Faure, InThinking www.thinkib.net/biology

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