First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – SL/HL Topic D1.1 DNA replication

Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Name ________________Time allowed: 20 mins SL / 30 mins HL Mark: / 14 (SL) 21 (HL)

Multiple choice questions (4 marks)

1. Which of the following is not a correct statement about the production of new DNA in a cell
before mitosis?

A. It is semi-conservative.
B. The process is known as DNA replication.
C. Adenine forms a complimentary base pair with cytosine.
D. Enzymes are involved in the process.

2. What is the role of helicase in DNA replication?

A. It provides energy for the process.

B. It forms complimentary base pairs.
C. It breaks the hydrogen bonds between the bases.
D. It breaks the hydrogen bonds between sugar and phosphate.

3. Which of the following are reasons that DNA replication normally achieves two exact copies
of the original molecule?

I. Base pairing is complimentary.

II. DNA polymerase cannot make a copying error.
III. Replication is semi-conservative.
IV. DNA base sequences are always the same.

A. All of the above

B. II and III only
C. I and III only
D. I, III and IV only

4. What is the name of the process used to separate DNA fragments in profiling?

A. Chromatography.
B. Autoradiography.
C. Gel electrophoresis.
D. Titration.

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

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL Topic D1.1 DNA replication
Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Structured answer questions (6 marks)

1. The polymerase chain reaction and gel electrophoresis can be used to identify a suspect from
DNA left at a crime scene. In using these procedures, explain each of the following:

I. The need to amplify the DNA by the PCR reaction. (1 mark)

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II. Enzymes in the polymerase chain reaction. (1 marks)

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III. The agarose gel used in the electrophoresis. (1 mark)

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IV. The use of an electric current in the electrophoresis. (1 mark)

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V. The need for DNA samples both from the crime scene and from the suspect. (1 mark)

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VI. The need for observations to be made on many DNA fragments. (1 mark)

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

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 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL Topic D1.1 DNA replication
Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Extended response question (4 marks)

2. Describe the role of enzymes in DNA replication. (4 marks)

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

3
 First exams in 2025
IB Style Test – SL/HL Topic D1.1 DNA replication
Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Additional Higher Level questions (7 marks)

3. Compare and contrast DNA replication on the leading strand with DNA replication
on the lagging strand. (4 marks)

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4. Explain how DNA proofreading ensues that accurate copies of DNA are produced
in DNA replication. (3 marks)

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

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