B3.2 Transport questions for IB Biology
45 questions on Transport, written by Augment in the style of IB exam papers. Six of them are below in full, to answer on paper.
- IB Biology
- Part of B Form and function
- SL and HL
Questions by paper and level
SL and HL questions are for students at either level. HL only questions cover what only HL students study.
| Paper | SL and HL | HL only | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| Paper 1B | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Paper 2 | 11 | 9 | 20 |
| Every paper | 25 | 20 | 45 |
Counted on
Questions to try
Written by Augment in the style of IB exams, not past papers. Answer them on paper, then check each one against its markscheme with a free account.
Fenestrated capillaries have pores in their walls that allow faster exchange of materials. In which location are fenestrated capillaries most likely to be found?
Students compared two methods of measuring heart rate. Ten students sat still for 5 minutes, then their heart rate was measured in two ways at the same time: a partner counted the pulse at the wrist with two fingertips for 30 seconds and doubled the count, while a digital pulse oximeter clipped to a finger gave a reading at the start of the count. The students then stepped on and off a bench for 2 minutes and both measurements were repeated immediately afterwards.
Condition | Method | Mean heart rate / beats min-1 | Standard deviation / beats min-1 |
|---|---|---|---|
At rest | Counting the pulse | 71.4 | 8.2 |
At rest | Pulse oximeter | 72.0 | 8.0 |
After exercise | Counting the pulse | 108.6 | 12.5 |
After exercise | Pulse oximeter | 117.3 | 11.9 |
- (a)
Identify the artery in which the pulse was counted.
1 mark
- (b)
Calculate the percentage increase in mean heart rate after exercise, as measured by the pulse oximeter.
2 marks
- (c)
Compare the heart rates obtained by the two methods.
2 marks
- (d)
Suggest two reasons for the difference between the methods after exercise.
2 marks
- (e)
Explain why fingertips, rather than a thumb, are used to feel the pulse.
1 mark
- (f)
Suggest one improvement to the method that would make the comparison of the two methods more valid.
1 mark
Researchers measured the rate of transpiration from the leaves of a sunflower (Helianthus annuus) plant during one sunny day. They also measured the pressure in the xylem of the stem and the change in stem diameter compared with its diameter at 06:00.
Time | Transpiration rate / mmol m-2 s-1 | Pressure in xylem / MPa | Change in stem diameter / µm |
|---|---|---|---|
06:00 | 0.4 | −0.3 | 0 |
09:00 | 2.1 | −0.7 | −20 |
12:00 | 4.8 | −1.4 | −65 |
15:00 | 4.2 | −1.3 | −58 |
18:00 | 1.6 | −0.6 | −18 |
21:00 | 0.2 | −0.3 | −3 |
- (a)
Describe the relationship between the transpiration rate and the pressure in the xylem.
2 marks
- (b)
Explain why the diameter of the stem decreased during the day.
2 marks
- (c)
Explain how the cohesion of water allows it to be transported to the leaves under tension.
3 marks
- (d)
Suggest why the walls of xylem vessels are strengthened with lignin.
1 mark
- (e)
Suggest why an air bubble in a xylem vessel stops water transport in that vessel.
1 mark
A student examined a micrograph of a transverse section through a blood vessel. Which row describes the features that identify the vessel as a vein?
Row | Thickness of wall relative to lumen diameter | Shape of lumen in section | Layer of smooth muscle and elastic fibres |
|---|---|---|---|
A | thin | often flattened or irregular | thin |
B | thick | round | thick |
C | thin | round | thick |
D | thick | often flattened or irregular | thin |
Students investigated the movement of water through leaf stalks of celery (Apium graveolens). Leaf stalks of similar length, each with leaves attached, were recut under water and stood in a dilute solution of a red dye. Five stalks were placed in still air, five in front of a fan and five inside a sealed transparent plastic bag. After 30 minutes the stalks were cut into transverse slices at 1 cm intervals, starting at the base, to find how far the dye had travelled.
Condition | Mean distance travelled by dye in 30 minutes / cm | Standard deviation / cm |
|---|---|---|
Still air | 6.2 | 0.8 |
Fan | 10.4 | 1.1 |
Plastic bag | 2.9 | 0.6 |
- (a)
Identify the independent variable in this investigation.
1 mark
- (b)
Calculate the mean rate of movement of the dye for the stalks in front of the fan. Give the units.
1 mark
- (c)
Explain why the dye moved further in the stalks placed in front of the fan than in still air.
2 marks
- (d)
In the slices, the dye was seen only in small, separate patches arranged in a ring near the outside of the stalk. Identify the tissue that the dye had stained and explain why the dye moved only in this tissue.
2 marks
- (e)
Evaluate the method used to measure the distance travelled by the dye.
2 marks
Hydrogen bonds are individually weak, but together they have major effects in living organisms.
- (a)
Describe how hydrogen bonds form between water molecules.
4 marks
- (b)
Outline the role of hydrogen bonds in the structure of DNA.
4 marks
- (c)
Explain how the properties of water allow it to be transported to the top of tall trees.
7 marks
Practice all 45 in Augment
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More questions in Form and function
- B1.1Carbohydrates and lipids
- B1.2Proteins
- B2.1Membranes and membrane transport
- B2.2Organelles and compartmentalisation
- B2.3Cell specialisation
- B3.1Gas exchange
- B3.2TransportThis page
- B3.3Muscle and motilityHL only
- B4.1Adaptation to environment
- B4.2Ecological niches
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