First exams in 2025

IB Style Test – SL/HL Topic D1.3 Mutation and gene editing

Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Name _________________ Time allowed: 25 mins SL / 30 mins HL Mark: / 19(SL) 24(HL)

Multiple choice questions (4 marks)

1. Which of the following is not a type of mutation?

A. Deletion.
B. Insertion.
C. Removal.
D. Substitution.

2. What is the role of mutation in a population?

A. It creates individuals with a better chance of survival.
B. It damages the chance of survival of individuals.
C. It has no effect.
D. It creates genetic variation within the population.

3. Which of the following are regarded as possible causes of mutations in DNA?

I. Errors in DNA replication.
II. Mutagenic chemicals.
III. Advantageous traits in a parent.
IV. Some forms of radiation.
A. I and II only
B. II and IV only
C. I and III only
D. I, II and IV only

4. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are a form of mutation. Which of the following is the
best description of an SNP in the DNA base sequence?
A. A substitution of a single base.
B. The addition of a single base.
C. A change in a polypeptide sequence.
D. The deletion of a DNA base.

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

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

Structured answer questions (7 marks)

5. The HTT gene in humans is found on human chromosome 4 at position 16.3. It is unusual in
that the gene has a repeating sequence of the triplet CAG which translates to the amino acid
glutamine. The repeating sequences occur at the beginning of the gene and the number of
these CAG repeats varies. If it is between 7 and 35 there is no effect on the individual, but a
greater number of repeats can lead to the Huntingtin protein being non-functional. This can
cause developmental problems in those who possess this variant of the gene, resulting in an
inherited condition known as Huntington disease. The severity of the disease is linked to the
number of CAG repeats.

a) Deduce the kind of mutation responsible for this condition. (1 mark)

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b) Explain how a mutation increasing the number of CAG repeats would alter the polypeptide
sequence of the HTT protein. (1 marks)

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The image shows a model of the HTT protein

c) This protein has 30 CAG repeats and functions normally.

Suggest how the addition of 120 glutamine amino acid molecules to this HTT protein might
cause the protein to become non-functional. (2 marks)

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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 D1.3 Mutation and gene editing
Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

d) The mutation is inherited if it occurs in germ cells of the parent.

Distinguish between germ line mutations and somatic mutations. (3 marks)

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Extended response (8 marks)

6. Explain why a deletion mutation (the removal of one base in the DNA base sequence of a
gene) in a protein coding gene is likely to produce a protein which is non-functional.
(4 marks)
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7. Discuss the role of mutation in evolution of new characteristics in a species. (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 D1.3 Mutation and gene editing
Theme D: Continuity and change Level of Organisation: Molecules

Additional Higher Level (5 marks)

8. Suggest two hypotheses for the presence in many species of highly conserved DNA
sequences, that have changed very little during evolution. (2 marks)

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9. Outline how gene knockout can aid scientists to determine the function of a gene. (3 marks)

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

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