IB DP Biology

Describe the molecular structure of water

• Explain how water molecules are formed through covalent bonding.

• Illustrate hydrogen bonding between water molecules.

Explain the unique physical and chemical properties of water

• Cohesion and adhesion

• Thermal properties (high specific heat capacity, high latent heat of vaporization, boiling and freezing points)

• Solvent properties and polarity

Relate the properties of water to its roles in living organisms and ecosystems

• Importance in temperature regulation

• Use as a medium for chemical reactions

• Transport medium in blood and plant xylem/phloem

• Surface tension and habitat support for aquatic life

Evaluate how water’s properties contribute to its significance as the basis of life on Earth

• Discuss the role of water in supporting metabolism, homeostasis, and biodiversity.

Describe the structure of nucleotides

• Recognize that a nucleotide is composed of a phosphate group, a pentose sugar (ribose or deoxyribose), and a nitrogenous base.

Compare the structure of DNA and RNA

• State the differences in number of strands, types of sugars, and bases (e.g., thymine in DNA vs. uracil in RNA).

Explain the complementary base pairing in DNA

• Describe how adenine pairs with thymine (or uracil in RNA), and cytosine pairs with guanine via hydrogen bonding.

Outline the structure of the DNA double helix

• Explain the antiparallel nature of the two strands, the formation of a double helix, and the role of hydrogen bonds between bases

Explain the structure of nucleotides and how they form nucleic acids

• Describe the components of a nucleotide: pentose sugar, phosphate group, and nitrogenous base.

• Distinguish between the sugars in DNA (deoxyribose) and RNA (ribose).

• Identify the four nitrogenous bases in DNA and RNA.

Describe the structure of DNA and RNA molecules

• Explain the antiparallel double helix structure of DNA.

• Describe complementary base pairing (A-T and C-G in DNA; A-U and C-G in RNA).

• Compare single-stranded RNA to double-stranded DNA.

Explain how nucleotides are linked by phosphodiester bonds to form polynucleotides

• Describe the formation of phosphodiester bonds between the phosphate group of one nucleotide and the sugar of another.

Explain the evidence supporting the cell theory and its limitations, particularly in the context of the origin of the first cells.

Describe the conditions of early Earth and how they might have contributed to the formation of organic molecules and the first living cells.

Evaluate the evidence supporting the endosymbiotic theory for the origin of eukaryotic cells.

Analyze the role of abiogenesis and spontaneous generation in the historical understanding of the origin of life.

Explain the significance of key experiments (e.g., Miller-Urey experiment) that simulate early Earth conditions and their implications for the origin of life.

Identify and describe the structure and function of the organelles in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the nucleus, mitochondria, chloroplasts, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, ribosomes, and cell membrane.

Compare and contrast prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of their structural components and complexity.

Explain the significance of the ultrastructure of cells as seen through electron microscopy.

Describe the differences in cell structure between plant and animal cells, including the presence of cell walls, chloroplasts, and vacuoles.

Analyze how cell structure relates to function and specialization in multicellular organisms.

Describe the ultrastructure of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, identifying organelles and their functions.

Explain the differences between prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including their structural and functional distinctions.

Outline the structure and function of organelles  (nucleus, ribosomes, rough endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus).

Outline the role of organelles involved in energy conversion (mitochondria, chloroplasts).

Explain the function of the cytoskeleton in maintaining cell shape and enabling movement.

Evaluate the evidence from electron microscopy that led to the development of the cell theory and understanding of cell ultrastructure.

Define viruses and describe their structure:

• Identify key structural components: nucleic acid (DNA or RNA), protein capsid

Compare viruses with living cells:

• Explain how viruses differ from prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells in terms of structure, metabolism, and reproduction.

Explain viral replication cycles:

• Describe the lytic and lysogenic cycles of viral reproduction.

Discuss viral diversity and examples:

• Identify examples of viruses affecting humans, animals, and plants (HIV, influenza).

Explain the importance of biodiversity

• Describe the significance of biological diversity at the genetic, species, and ecosystem levels.

Classify organisms using the three domains of life

• Identify characteristics of Archaea, Bacteria, and Eukaryota and explain why this system is used.

Distinguish between major taxa

• Outline the features of kingdoms within the domain Eukaryota (e.g., Plantae, Animalia, Fungi, Protista).

Apply binomial nomenclature for species naming

• Use the binomial system of naming organisms and explain the rules of this system.

Describe trends in classification systems

• Discuss how advances in molecular biology (e.g., DNA sequencing) have influenced the classification of organisms.

Interpret cladograms

• Analyze evolutionary relationships among organisms using branching diagrams.

Recognize the dynamic nature of classification

• Understand that taxonomic groupings are hypotheses based on available evidence and subject to change.