IBBiologyHLTopic QuestionsInteraction & InterdependenceTransfer of Energy & Matter

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Transfer of Energy & Matter (HL IB Biology)

Topic Questions

2 hours27 questions

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Transfer of Energy & Matter

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Transfer of Energy & Matter

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11 mark

Identify the main energy transfers carried out by the organisms in the food web below:

q1a1-

  Grass Rabbit
A light → chemical chemical → light
B chemical → light kinetic →  heat
C light → heat chemical → thermal
D light → chemical chemical → kinetic

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    2
    Sme Calculator    1 mark

    The carbon cycle is represented by the diagram below.

    Part of carbon cycle

    Identify process Y.

    • Photosynthesis

    • Combustion

    • Respiration

    • Fossilisation

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    3
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    What is the total mass of carbon released into the atmosphere from respiration per year?

    skuT1H9q_e-3

    • 60 billion tonnes

    • 148 billion tonnes

    • 150 billion tonnes

    • 140 billion tonnes

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    11 mark

    Which of the following statements about inorganic nutrients are correct? 

    1. Living organisms gain all of their inorganic nutrients from the abiotic environment.
    2. Inorganic nutrients include simple compounds of carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen.
    3. Organisms need inorganic nutrients to build organic molecules.

    • I and II only

    • I and III only

    • II and III only

    • I, II, and III

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    21 mark

    The energy transferred from the sun to the grass in this food chain is 65 000 kJ m-2 year-1.

    q6-biology-4-1-ib-hl

     Approximately how much energy is passed from the shrew to the owl in kJ m-2 year-1?

    • 650 000

    • 6 500

    • 650

    • 65

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    31 mark

    Which pyramid of energy correctly represents the food chain shown?

    Algae → caddis fly larvae → small fish → kingfisher

    biology-q10-ib-hl-4-1

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      41 mark

      Which of the following statements about the removal of carbon from the atmosphere are correct?

      1. Atmospheric carbon is converted into carbohydrates during photosynthesis.
      2. Carbon enters the cells of aquatic plants by diffusing directly from the surrounding water.
      3. Carbon combines with water to form carbonic acid, which dissociates to form hydrogen carbonate ions, raising the pH of water.

      • I only

      • I and II only

      • I and III only

      • I, II, and III

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      51 mark

      What can be concluded about levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide from the graph shown?wx0jijoF_1

      A

      Carbon dioxide levels fluctuate yearly due to seasonal changes in photosynthesis

      Average carbon dioxide levels are increasing

      Average yearly carbon dioxide level increases vary from year to year

      B

      Carbon dioxide levels fluctuate yearly

      Average carbon dioxide levels increased between 1960-2010

      Average yearly carbon dioxide level increases vary from year to year

      C

      Carbon dioxide levels fluctuate yearly

      Average carbon dioxide levels are increasing

      Average yearly carbon dioxide level increases vary from year to year

      D

      Carbon dioxide levels fluctuate yearly due to seasonal changes in photosynthesis

      Average carbon dioxide levels increased between 1960-2010

      Average yearly carbon dioxide level increases are linear

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        61 mark

        What is the benefit of collecting accurate, quantitative data on atmospheric carbon dioxide levels?

        • Scientists can identify the sources of greenhouse gases such as methane.

        • Scientists can directly assess the impact of deforestation.

        • Scientists can prove that climate change is caused by human activities.

        • Scientists can identify trends in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.

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        71 mark

        The diagram below shows the stages of the carbon cycle.

        iwnEfpEo_5

        Which processes are shown in the diagram?

         

        I

        II

        III

        IV

        A

        Fossilisation

        Photosynthesis

        Respiration

        Decomposition

        B

        Decomposition

        Absorption

        Photosynthesis

        Combustion

        C

        Decomposition

        Absorption

        Photosynthesis

        Decomposition

        D

        Decomposition

        Photosynthesis

        Respiration

        Combustion

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          1
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          Which row of the table correctly identifies an observation of food chains and the theory used to explain that observation?

            Observation Theory
          I Food chains are short Energy losses occur at each trophic level
          II Food chains have a pyramid structure Organisms with a larger biomass provide more energy to the next trophic level
          III Food chains all start with a producer Producers transfer energy most efficiently
          IV Energy losses occur at each trophic level Energy is transferred to the surroundings during respiration 

          • I only

          • I and IV

          • II and IV

          • I and III

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