IBBiologyHLTopic QuestionsContinuity & ChangeCell & Nuclear Division

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2023

First exams 2025

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Cell & Nuclear Division (HL IB Biology)

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11 mark

Which of the individuals below is represented by the following karyogram?

fPz8KBpJ_e-5

  • A male with a chromosomal abnormality

  • A genetically normal female

  • A male with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)

  • A female with Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)

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2
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The diagram below shows the different phases of the cell cycle.

1-4-e-paper-1

Which of the following rows correctly identifies the phases of the cell cycle?

  1 2 3 4
A. Interphase: G1 Interphase: G2  Interphase: S Nuclear division
B. Mitosis Interphase: G1 Interphase: S Interphase: G2
C. Interphase: G1 Interphase: S Interphase: G2 Nuclear division
D. Interphase: S Interphase: G1 Interphase: G2 Mitosis

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3
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Which of the following processes involve mitosis?

  • growth, repair, semi-conservative replication

  • repair, growth, asexual reproduction

  • reduction division, asexual reproduction, growth

  • repair, reduction division, asexual reproduction

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4
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The micrograph below show cells that are in various stages of the cell cycle.

1-4-easy-q3

Doc. RNDr. Josef Reischig, CSc., CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Which of the following correctly identifies the stages of mitosis for cells P, Q and R?

  P Q R
A. Prophase Metaphase Anaphase
B. Metaphase Telophase Anaphase
C. Telophase Metaphase Anaphase
D. Prophase Anaphase Metaphase

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5
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The following steps are involved in the formation of malignant tumours:

1. Tumour cells spread in blood and lymph
2. Rapid mitosis occur
3. Oncogenes arise
4. The tumour increases in size
5. Tumour cells form secondary tumours throughout the body

Which of the following represent the correct order of the steps?

  • 2 → 4 → 3 → 1 → 5

  • 3 → 2 → 4 → 1 → 5

  • 4 → 2 → 3 → 1 → 5

  • 3 → 2 → 1 → 4 → 5

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6
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Which of the following statements apply to the process of crossing over in meiosis?

  1. Crossing over occurs between non-homologous sister chromatids
  2. Crossing over occurs between non-sister homologous chromatids
  3. Crossing over results in genetic recombination
  4. Unequal-length sections of DNA routinely cross from one strand to another during crossing-over

  • I, III, and IV only

  • II and III only

  • II and IV only

  • II, III, and IV only

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7
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Which row of A - D shows the correct names of the phases of meiosis I pictured below?

10-1_q5e

  1 2 3 4 5
A. anaphase telophase prophase metaphase interphase
B. metaphase  interphase telophase prophase anaphase
C. metaphase telophase interphase prophase anaphase
D. anaphase interphase prophase telophase metaphase

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8
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Which stage of meiosis I is displayed in the image?

jOu4uZeu_e-1

  • Metaphase

  • Prophase

  • Anaphase

  • Telophase

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9
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Which of the following materials and pieces of laboratory equipment can be used to develop and refine our understanding of meiosis?

  1. light microscopes
  2. staining compounds
  3. animal body cells
  4. plant sex organs

  • I. and III.

  • I. II. and IV.

  • I. and IV.

  • II. III. and IV.

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10
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Five events that take place during meiosis are listed.

Which is the correct chronological order (1 - 5) of those events?

  • 1. crossing over
    2. haploid gametes form
    3. formation of bivalents
    4. reduction division
    5. replication of DNA
  • 1. haploid gametes form 
    2. reduction division 
    3. formation of bivalents 
    4. crossing over
    5. replication of DNA
  • 1. replication of DNA
    2. formation of bivalents 
    3. crossing over
    4. haploid gametes
    5. form reduction division
  • 1. replication of DNA
    2. formation of bivalents 
    3. crossing over
    4. reduction division
    5. haploid gametes form

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11
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If an organism has 11 pairs of chromosomes, which mathematical equation will calculate the number of combinations in which homologous chromosomes can orientate themselves during meiosis I?

The calculations shown in the choices are all mathematically correct. 

  • 211 = 2 048 combinations

  • 222 = 484 combinations

  • 222 = 4 194 304 combinations

  • 112 = 121 combinations

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12
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Which is the best explanation for the term reduction division as it relates to meiosis?

  • The mass of DNA in each cell has been reduced. 

  • The overall amount of DNA has been reduced during meiosis.

  • The chromosome number has been reduced.

  • DNA is chemically reduced during the process of meiosis. 

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131 mark

Exchange of alleles is an important feature of meiosis.

During which precise stage of meiosis does the exchange of alleles take place?

  • When crossing over occurs between two non-sister chromatids

  • When homologous chromosomes are oriented at the cell equator

  • When new nuclei form

  • During gene linkage

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14
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The image shows a human karyotype of cells taken from amniocentesis in the later stages of the first half of a pregnancy. ~pGVzkjq_h-2

What conclusion can be drawn from this karyotype?

  • The foetus's karyotype is entirely normal.

  • The foetus has Down syndrome.

  • The foetus has trisomy 18 (Edward's syndrome) and is unlikely to survive beyond the age of 12 months. 

  • The foetus is female.

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151 mark

Which statement best describes the cells produced as a result of meiosis?

  • Haploid and genetically identical.

  • Diploid and genetically identical.

  • Haploid and genetically different.

  • Diploid and genetically different.

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1
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The graph shows events taking place in a group of mouse cells cells. Some cells contain a protein called cyclin D which stimulates DNA polymerase activity.

1-4-h-q1-paper-1

Which of the following statements applies to the action of cyclin D?

  • Cyclin D is necessary for DNA replication to occur

  • High cyclin D levels speeds up DNA replication which could lead to cancer

  • Activation of DNA polymerase increases transcription of DNA which increases the rate of cell division

  • Cyclin D increases the proportion of cells undergoing DNA replication

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2
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The table shows the number of chromosomes and the mass of DNA in different human body cell nuclei.

Which row in the table correctly identifies the number of chromosomes and the mass of DNA found in the nucleus during each named stage of the cell cycle?

  Late interphase Prophase Telophase
  Number of chromosomes Mass of DNA / arbitrary units Number of chromosomes Mass of DNA / arbitrary units Number of chromosomes Mass of DNA / arbitrary units
A 92 50 46 50 23 25
B 46 50 46 50 46 25
C 46 50 46 25 46 25
D 92 50 46 25 23 12.5

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3
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An androgen receptor (AR) found in the cytoplasm of cells interacts with the sex hormone testosterone. 

A repeating nucleotide base sequence, CAG, found in the gene for AR has been associated with the risk of developing prostate cancer.

The table below shows the results of two statistical tests which found an association between the number of CAG repeats and the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Number of CAG repeats in AR gene Association is significant at this probability level
≤ 10 0.02
≥ 20 0.25

A null hypothesis stated that:

'There is no significant association between the number of CAG repeats and the risk of developing prostate cancer'

Identify the conclusion which can be drawn from the data in the table.

  • With 20 or more CAG repeats we can reject the null hypothesis

  • Prostate cancer is more likely with 20 or more CAG repeats, with a more than a 5% probability that the association is due to chance

  • With 10, or fewer than 10, CAG repeats the association is not-significant at the 5% probability level

  • With 10, or fewer than 10, CAG repeats the association is significant and there is a less than 5% probability that the association is due to chance

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4
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In humans cell division is regulated by several genes, one of which codes for a protein known as p53. p53 inhibits cell division at a particular checkpoint in the cell cycle through the following mechanism:

  • p53 stimulates transcription of a gene to produce protein X
  • Protein X combines with a cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) protein
  • The complex prevents the initiation of mitosis

A heritable mutation in the gene that codes for p53 results in a non-functional p53 protein.

Which of the following describes the potential result of inheriting this mutated allele?

  • Increasing production of protein X results in a faster rate of cell division

  • Uncontrolled cell division resulting from the formation of more CDK-protein X complexes

  • Decreased synthesis of protein X, resulting in uncontrolled cell division

  • Decreased transcription of protein X, resulting in programmed cell death

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5
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Some scientists were investigating mitosis in plant cells. They applied a chemical agent called colchicine which interferes with tubulin proteins in the cytoplasm. An image of some chromosomes from a treated cell can be seen below.

1-4-h-q5-paper-1

How does treatment with colchicine prevent the progression of cell division in plant cells?

  • Cells cannot progress past interphase as the chromosomes are decondensed

  • Cells cannot progress into prophase as spindle fibres have not formed

  • Cells cannot progress into anaphase as spindle fibres have not formed

  • Cells cannot progress past metaphase as chromosomes are decondensed

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6
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Consider the following pair of chromosomes at the start of meiosis.

10-1_q1h 

Which table gives the distribution of alleles in the gametes that would be most realistic, in percentage terms?

  • Genotype KL Kl kL kl
    % distribution 25 25 25 25
  • Genotype KL Kl kL kl
    % distribution 50 0 0 50
  • Genotype KL Kl kL kl
    % distribution 45 5 5 45
  • Genotype KL Kl kL kl
    % distribution 10 40 40 10

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7
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Which event causes genetic variation in the gametes formed during meiosis?

  • Linkage of genes in prophase 1 and crossing over in metaphase 1

  • Crossing over during prophase 1 and independent assortment of chromosomes during metaphase 1

  • Linkage of genes in metaphase 1 and independent assortment of chromosomes in prophase 1

  • Crossing over during metaphase 1 and independent assortment of chromosomes during prophase 1

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8
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Which of the following is the best explanation of why the lengths of DNA exchanged during crossing-over tend to be the same length as each other?

  • Breakages occur where distinct alleles fail to line up accurately with each other in the formation of a tetrad

  • If uneven lengths of DNA are crossed over, restriction enzymes will trim off the unnecessary DNA from the longer chromatid

  • There is a lack of space in the tightly-packed ball of condensed chromosomes in prophase I, so only short lengths of DNA can cross over

  • Breaks occur in the same base sequences on each non-sister chromatid

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91 mark

The micrographs below show cells undergoing meiosis.

biology-3-2-q5-ib-hl

Which sequence correctly identifies the stage of meiosis in each micrograph from left to right?

  • Metaphase I, anaphase I, prophase I, telophase I

  • Metaphase II, anaphase II, prophase II, telophase II

  • Prophase II, anaphase II, metaphase II, telophase II

  • Prophase I, anaphase I, metaphase I, telophase I

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101 mark

The micrograph below shows an image of a cell undergoing meiosis.

biology-q10-3-2-ib-hl-

Which stage of meiosis can be seen in the image, and why?

  Stage of meiosis Reason
A Prophase II Chromosomes are condensed and randomly arranged in the cell
B Prophase I Chromosomes are condensed and randomly arranged in the cell
C Prophase I Chromosomes are condensed in a haploid cell
D Metaphase I Chromosomes are lined up down the centre of a cell

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11
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The following choices each show a bivalent. 

Along the length of the bivalent are some values of probability.

Which choice reflects the most likely probabilities of a chiasma forming at each of the positions shown?

hdo0Sn4a_h-1

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12
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Which row best describes an organism whose diploid number is 16 and whose body cells have an amount of DNA, x?

  Number of chromosomes per body cell Number of centromeres Amount of DNA per cell at the beginning of meiosis I
A. 16 16 2x
B. 8 16 2x
C. 16 8 4x
D. 8 8 x

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13
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The fungus Sordaria fimicola is an excellent organism for observing the effects of meiosis because its gametes (spores) are coloured and can be observed under a microscope. 

Wild-type fungus has black spores. Another variety has tan spores.

The allele for black spores is B and the allele for tan spores is b.

These can be crossed to produce a diploid zygote, which can then undergo meiosis to produce spores. In this species, a final mitotic division results in 8 spores produced as shown below. sXVQy7N__h-4

Each zygote produces its eight spores in a structure called an ascus, in which the eight spores line up to reveal the alignment of homologous chromosomes during the meiotic division that led to their formation. 

A microscope image of some asci is shown below. h-42

Which asci, labelled 1 - 4 in the microscope view above, show evidence that crossing over has taken place?

  • All of them

  • 2 and 3

  • 1 and 3

  • 2 and 4

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11 mark

The photomicrograph shows cells in different stages of mitosis.

q1-1-4-cells-division-medium-ib-hl-biology

In which order do these stages occur?

  • 4 → 1 → 3 → 2 → 5

  • 4 → 1 → 2 → 3 → 5

  • 4 → 3 → 5 → 1 → 2

  • 4 → 5 → 1 → 2 → 3

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21 mark

Which of the following do(es) not happen during an animal cell cycle?

  1. DNA is transcribed and translated
  2. The spindle is formed from microtubules
  3. A cell plate forms to divide daughter cells
  4. Plasma membrane is pulled inwards around the cell equator to form a cleavage furrow

  • III only

  • I and III only

  • II only

  • IV only

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31 mark

Tumours are formed due to uncontrolled cell division.

Which statement describes the difference between a normal cell and a tumour cell?

  • Only tumour cells contain mutations

  • Tumour cells do not undergo cytokinesis

  • Tumour cells have a shorter interphase

  • Tumour cells do not have metaphase

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41 mark

The cell cycle is shown in the diagram below.

q4-1-4-cells-division-medium-ib-hl-biology

If dividing cells are supplied with radioactive nucleotides before entering stage A, by which point will the nucleotides be incorporated into the chromosomes?

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51 mark

Which of the following rows identifies the properties of a human cell just before it enters prophase?

  Nuclear membrane present Spindle present Number of chromatids
A. No Yes 92
B. Yes No 92
C. Yes Yes 46
D. Yes No 46

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61 mark

Each of the following events takes place during mitosis:

1 Chromosomes decondense
2 Chromatids move to opposite poles of the cell
3 Centromeres divide
4 Chromosomes line up along the equator
5 The nuclear membrane breaks down


In which order do the events take place?

  First          →          →          →          Last
A. 1 2 4 5 3
B. 3 1 2 4 5
C. 4 5 3 1 2
D. 5 4 3 2 1

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71 mark

The table below shows the number of cells in different stages of mitosis in a sample from a garlic root tip.

Stage of mitotic cell cycle Number of cells
Interphase 80
Prophase 11
Metaphase 2
Anaphase 4
Telophase 3


What is the mitotic index for this tissue?

  • 0.20

  • 20

  • 0.80

  • 4

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81 mark

The diagram shows the chromosomes of a squashed cell during mitosis.

q10-1-4-cells-division-medium-ib-hl-biology

What is the stage of mitosis and the haploid chromosome number for this cell?

  Stage of mitosis Haploid chromosome number
A. Early prophase 10
B. Late prophase 5
C. Metaphase 10
D. Anaphase 5

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91 mark

The diagram below shows a plant life cycle. It includes unfamiliar stages such as ‘sporophyte’ and ‘gametophyte’ that are not found in human life cycles.

biology-3-1-q7-ib-hl

What process is taking place at the stage marked X on the diagram? 

  • Fertilisation

  • Meiosis

  • Fusion 

  • Mitosis

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101 mark

Which of the individuals described below does the following karyogram represent?

biology-3-1-q9-ib-hl

  • A male with Down syndrome.

  • A male with a chromosome abnormality.

  • A healthy male.

  • A female with Down syndrome.

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111 mark

Which of the following statements about meiosis are incorrect?

  1. The overall mass of DNA doubles before meiosis
  2. Crossing over occurs between chromatids of non-homologous chromosomes
  3. Meiosis II is referred to as reduction division
  4. Sister chromatids separate in anaphase I

  • I, II and III only

  • I and IV only

  • I, II, III and IV

  • II, III and IV only

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121 mark

Which of the following gives an accurate definition of genetic recombination?

  • The orientation of homologous chromosomes as they align during metaphase I of meiosis

  • The development of new alleles within a population through mutation

  • The breaking and rejoining of DNA to create new combinations

  • The loss of DNA telomeres through multiple cycles of replication

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131 mark

Which of the following most accurately describes the events that occur in meiosis I?    

A. Chromatids separate Crossing over occurs in prophase I
B. Chromatids separate Crossing over occurs in metaphase I
C. Homologous chromosomes separate Crossing over occurs in prophase I
D. Homologous chromosomes separate Crossing over occurs in metaphase I

 

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141 mark

The diagram shows a pair of homologous chromosomes at the beginning of prophase I of meiosis, and four possible examples of crossing over, A - D

q1_10-1_meiosis_ib_biology_hl_mcq

Which of the four representations of crossing over cannot occur in meiosis I?

  • ma1a_10-1_meiosis_ib_biology_hl_mcq

  • ma1b_10-1_meiosis_ib_biology_hl_mcq

  • ma1c_10-1_meiosis_ib_biology_hl_mcq

  • ma1d_10-1_meiosis_ib_biology_hl_mcq

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151 mark

For a eukaryotic organism with a diploid number of 14, which option gives the number of chromosome combinations that can occur as a result of random orientation in meiosis?

Note that all the equations below are mathematically correct.

  •  14

  • 128

  • 16 384

  •  2 097 152

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161 mark

Which of the following statements correctly describes meiosis?

  • It is a mechanism of nuclear division that occurs in all cells.

  • It produces haploid cells during the first nuclear division.

  • It involves interphase, prophase, metaphase, anaphase and telophase.

  • It is the only process that generates genetic variation.

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171 mark

The diagram below shows the life cycle of a fern. The term 2n is used to represent diploid cells and the term n is used to represent haploid cells.

biology-3-2-q3-ib-hl

Which stage represents meiosis?

  • W

  • X

  • Y

  • Z

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181 mark

Which events are taking place at stages 1, 2, and 3 in the diagram of meiosis below?

biology-3-2-q4-ib-hl

  1 2 3
A DNA replication Random fertilisation Sister chromatids become chromosomes
B Mitosis Separation of homologous pairs Separation of sister chromatids
C DNA replication Random orientation Separation of homologous pairs
D DNA replication Crossing over  Separation of sister chromatids

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191 mark

Which of the following statements about genetic variation and meiosis are correct? 

  1. Meiosis generates genetic variation through crossing over, random orientation, and random fusion of gametes.
  2. The number of different combinations of chromosomes that are possible as a result of random orientation is 2n, where n is the number of chromosomes in a diploid cell.
  3. Crossing over can take place at any location along a chromosome

  • I only

  • I and III only

  • II and III only

  • I, II, and III

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201 mark

A group of scientists carried out a study looking at the relationship between the number of crossing over events taking place during meiosis and the distance between the crossing over events and the centromere in male trout (a species of fish).  Some of their results are shown in the graph below.

biology-3-2-q7-ib-hl

What can be concluded from the graph?

  • There are significantly more crossing over events further away from the centromere.

  • 30 % of crossing over events occur at a relative distance of 0.6.

  • A higher percentage of crossing over events take place as distance from the centromere increases in male trout.

  • A higher percentage of crossing over events take place as distance from the centromere increases in fish species.

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211 mark

Chromosome non-disjunction in the sex chromosomes can result in gametes that contain more than one sex chromosome. 

The graph below shows the results of a study looking at the impact of age on sex chromosome non-disjunction in men.

biology-q8-3-2-ib-hl

How many XY sperm would be predicted in a sample of 1 000 000 sperm from a 45 year old man?

  • 1 250

  • 12.5

  • 125

  • 12 500

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