DP Biology (first assessment 2025)

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Question 22M.2.SL.TZ1.3c

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Date May 2022 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 22M.2.SL.TZ1.3c
Level SL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Explain Question number c Adapted from N/A
c.
[Maximum mark: 3]
22M.2.SL.TZ1.3c
(c)

Explain how increased carbon dioxide in the air leads to the greenhouse effect.

[3]

Markscheme
  1. short wave radiation from sun passes through atmosphere / is not absorbed by CO2;
  2. infrared/long wave (radiation) / heat emitted from/released from (surface of) Earth;
  3. CO2 in the atmosphere absorbs infrared/long wave (radiation)/heat / cannot pass through the greenhouse gases;
  4. this results in warm/increased temperatures on Earth/global warming;

Do not accept “reflected” for mpb.

Examiners report

There were elegant answers to this question demonstrating a high level of understanding. Many other candidates mixed up all sorts of ideas here, including the idea of ozone being a cause of global warming and stating as a "fact" that heat travels from the sun to the earth. Among the confused ideas was the notion that carbon dioxide is a toxic pollutant.

Syllabus sections