DP Biology (first assessment 2025)

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Question 22N.2.HL.TZ0.a

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Date November 2022 Marks available [Maximum mark: 3] Reference code 22N.2.HL.TZ0.a
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ0
Command term Outline Question number a Adapted from N/A
a.
[Maximum mark: 3]
22N.2.HL.TZ0.a

Outline how adaptive radiation provides evidence for evolution.

[3]

Markscheme
  1. diversification/ different species produced from a common/shared ancestor;
  2. homologous features have similarities of structure
  3. despite different functions;
  4. (different) adaptation to different environments/different selective pressures;
  5. pentadactyl limbs/Darwin’s finches/other example of adaptive radiation described correctly;

Allow any of the marking points with reference to a named example e.g. Darwin’s finches or pentadactyl limb.

Examiners report

Some candidates misread the question and wrote about radiation causing mutations. Other answers described how a species changes over time due to natural selection. A few answers gave a convincing account of how structures such as the pentadactyl limb give evidence for evolution because similarities of structure despite differences of function indicate common ancestry.

Syllabus sections