DP Biology (first assessment 2025)

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Question 23M.2.HL.TZ1.i

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Date May 2023 Marks available [Maximum mark: 1] Reference code 23M.2.HL.TZ1.i
Level HL Paper 2 Time zone TZ1
Command term Outline Question number i Adapted from N/A
i.
[Maximum mark: 1]
23M.2.HL.TZ1.i

Antibiotics such as penicillin are secreted by fungi and other microorganisms in soil. By secreting them, a microorganism can inhibit the growth of a competitor.

In research published in 2014, nearly 3000 antibiotic resistance genes were discovered in soil microorganisms, giving resistance to 18 different antibiotics. The types of antibiotic resistance gene varied between soil types.

There are viruses in soils that are pathogens of animals. Outline a reason for antibiotics in soil not eliminating these viruses.

[1]

Markscheme
  1. viruses lack metabolism/plasma membranes/cell walls / viruses are not livingorganisms;
  2. antibiotics kill/target bacteria/prokaryotes but not viruses;
  3. viral pathogens of animals use animal metabolism (which is not affected by antibiotics);

 

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