IB Biology SL B2.2 Organelles and compartmentalization Questions

Practise IB Biology SL B2.2 by identifying organelles in cell diagrams and electron micrographs, matching them to functions, and tracing transcription, RNA splicing and mRNA export.

7 questions in this syllabus scope, with question parts counted together.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology SL
Level
SL

Exam analysis

SL · 2010–2025
Papers with this topic24 / 141in the analysed sample
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Tagged question parts28
Paper types5

Most tested objectives

  1. B2.2.1—Organelles as discrete subunits7 papers
  2. B2.2.8 (HL)—Golgi apparatus7 papers
  3. B2.2.4 (HL)—Mitochondrion adaptations4 papers
  4. B2.2.5 (HL)—Chloroplast adaptations3 papers
  5. B2.2.7 (HL)—Free ribosomes vs. rough ER2 papers

Common question formats

  • Definition or recall
  • Diagram interpretation
  • Process explanation
  • Structured response
  • Extended response

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper 2 SL · TZ1Q3(a)[ 2 ]
November 2025Paper 1A SL · TZ3Q10[ 1 ]
November 2024Paper 1 SL · TZ1Q2[ 1 ]

141 papers analysed · Tagging incomplete

Exam points

  • Identify organelles in electron micrographs and distinguish them from cell wall, cytoplasm and cytoskeleton.
  • Match mitochondria to respiration and lysosomes to intracellular digestion.
  • Match Golgi, ribosomes, plasma membrane and rough ER to protein processing, synthesis, traffic and transport.
  • Trace nuclear gene expression through transcription, intron removal and mRNA export in an interphase response.

Covered syllabus points

B2.2.1—Organelles as discrete subunitsB2.2.2—Nucleus-cytoplasm separationB2.2.3—Advantages of compartmentalization

Exam points

  • Identify organelles such as nuclei, mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, lysosomes, vesicles and ribosomes in electron micrographs or cell descriptions.
  • Use visible features such as cristae, membrane boundaries, size and shape to identify organelles and connect them with their functions.
  • Distinguish organelles such as lysosomes from non-organelle structures including cell walls, cytoskeleton and cytoplasm.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which of the following is considered a cell organelle?

A

Cell wall

B

Lysosome

C

Cytoskeleton

D

Cytoplasm

Exam points

  • Explain that the nuclear envelope protects DNA and separates transcription in the nucleus from translation in the cytoplasm.
  • Explain that introns are removed from pre-mRNA in the nucleus and that mature mRNA is exported to the cytoplasm for translation.

No public sample questions are available for this syllabus point yet.

No public sample questions are available for this syllabus point yet.