14 ready-made review sets for this theme, by subtopic and marked SL or HL, plus 1 mixed review set that runs into it. Free to host, and students join with a code.
The enzyme that creates a short RNA primer to provide an attachment point for DNA Polymerase?
Theme D is about how life continues and changes. Molecules: DNA replication, protein synthesis, and mutations and gene editing. Cells: cell and nuclear division and water potential, with gene expression at higher level. Organisms: reproduction, inheritance and homeostasis. Ecosystems: natural selection, stability and change, and climate change.
Play this set opens the set in splycr, where you can read every question and host it for your class straight away. Hosting needs no account, and students join with the code on the board. A free account lets you copy a set and edit it.
The questions come from the Biology by Bradford flashcard bank, written by an IB and AP Biology teacher. Each one plays as multiple choice, and the wrong options are other answers from the same set.
Sets marked SL suit every IB Biology student, because higher level students study the standard level content too. Sets marked HL cover the additional higher level material, and six subtopics are for higher level only: A2.1, A2.3, A3.2, B3.3, C2.1 and D2.2. Some sets are marked SL and HL, and cover both.
D1 · Molecules
The enzyme that creates a short RNA primer to provide an attachment point for DNA Polymerase?
Answer: DNA Primase
Short lengths of DNA produced on the lagging strand?
Answer: Okazaki Fragments
The experiment that used ¹⁵N and ¹⁴N to show that DNA replication is semi-conservative?
Answer: Meselson-Stahl Experiment
The property of the code where all organisms use the same codons for the same amino acids?
Answer: Universality
The property where multiple codons can code for the same amino acid?
Answer: Degeneracy (or Redundancy)
The DNA strand that is used as a template for RNA synthesis?
Answer: Antisense strand
A group of several ribosomes translating the same mRNA strand simultaneously?
Answer: Polysome
The complex made of proteins and snRNA that removes introns from pre-mRNA?
Answer: Spliceosome
The process that allows one gene to code for multiple different proteins by joining different combinations of exons?
Answer: Alternative Splicing
A mutation that shifts the reading frame of every subsequent codon (caused by insertion/deletion)?
Answer: Frameshift mutation
An agent that causes mutations, such as radiation or specific chemicals?
Answer: Mutagen
A mutation that creates a premature stop codon, shortening the protein?
Answer: Nonsense mutation
D2 · Cells
One copy of a replicated chromosome joined at the centromere?
Answer: Chromatid
The point where crossing over occurs between homologs?
Answer: Chiasma
The way each bivalent lines up at the equator in metaphase I, independently of the other pairs?
Answer: Random orientation
The addition of acetyl groups to histones, which activates transcription?
Answer: Histone acetylation
Tightly packed chromatin where genes are generally inactive?
Answer: Heterochromatin
The addition of a CH₃ group directly to cytosine bases in DNA?
Answer: DNA Methylation
The shrinkage of cell contents away from the cell wall in a hypertonic solution?
Answer: Plasmolysis
A plant cell that has lost its turgor pressure?
Answer: Flaccid
A solution that has a higher water potential (fewer solutes) than the cell?
Answer: Hypotonic
D3 · Organisms
The hormone that maintains the uterine lining, produced by the corpus luteum?
Answer: Progesterone
The structure formed from a follicle after ovulation that secretes progesterone?
Answer: Corpus luteum
Hormone secreted by the early embryo that maintains the corpus luteum in pregnancy?
Answer: hCG
The cells in the testes that nourish developing sperm?
Answer: Sertoli cells
The reaction where sperm release enzymes to digest the zona pellucida?
Answer: Acrosome reaction
The reaction that hardens the zona pellucida to prevent polyspermy?
Answer: Cortical reaction
The failure of homologous chromosomes or sister chromatids to separate during meiosis?
Answer: Nondisjunction
A statistical test used to determine if there is a significant difference between observed and expected genetic ratios?
Answer: Chi-squared test
Alleles that are both fully and separately expressed in a heterozygote (e.g., AB blood type)?
Answer: Codominant
The region of the nephron responsible for creating a salt concentration gradient in the medulla?
Answer: Loop of Henle
The tube where final urine concentration occurs under the influence of ADH?
Answer: Collecting duct
Autoimmune destruction of beta cells leading to no insulin production?
Answer: Type 1 diabetes
D4 · Ecosystems
Selection that favors both extremes and can lead to speciation?
Answer: Disruptive selection
Drastic reduction in population size (e.g., natural disaster) that reduces genetic diversity?
Answer: Bottleneck effect
Loss of genetic variation when a small group colonizes a new area?
Answer: Founder effect
First organisms to colonize (e.g., lichen/mosses)?
Answer: Pioneer species
Ability of an ecosystem to recover after a disturbance?
Answer: Resilience
Ripple effect in a food web when one level is changed?
Answer: Trophic cascade
A reservoir (like a forest or ocean) that absorbs more carbon than it releases?
Answer: Carbon sink
Term for ground that is permanently frozen; releases CH₄ when it thaws?
Answer: Permafrost
The reflectivity of a surface (e.g., ice has a high value)?
Answer: Albedo
Each of these runs across several subtopics in syllabus order, from the first code in its title to the second. They suit a review at the end of a theme.
Which cells remain in the blood to provide long-term immunity after an infection?
Answer: Memory cells
The specific RNA molecule that directs the Cas9 enzyme to a target DNA sequence?
Answer: Guide RNA
A mutation occurring in gametes (eggs/sperm) that can be inherited by offspring?
Answer: Germline mutation
Every set plays in all eight modes. These two fit this theme best.
One student defends the throne against the whole class, and a wrong answer from the champion costs double. Mitosis and meiosis terms make a good duel at the end of a topic.
For a lighter lesson: students move round a frozen arena and answer a question from the set correctly to reload. Up to 20 players.