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Practice · Biology · 2025 syllabus · B2.3

IB Biology B2.3 Cell specialization: practice questions

5 exam-style questions on B2.3 Cell specialization, SL and HL, 1 marked HL: 3 multiple choice, 1 data-based and 1 short answer. Each one comes with the mark scheme, a model answer and the reasoning behind every mark. Free with your email.

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B2.3-01 · Paper 1A style · multiple choice · 1 mark

Shared property of stem cells

Which property is shared by all stem cells? [1]

  1. They can differentiate into any type of cell in the body.
  2. They are found only in early-stage embryos.
  3. They can divide repeatedly and can differentiate along different pathways.
  4. They have already switched on the genes for one specialized function.
Show the answer and the reasoning

Answer: C. C is correct: the two defining properties of a stem cell are the capacity to keep dividing and the ability to differentiate along more than one pathway. A describes only the most versatile, early embryonic stem cells; multipotent adult stem cells, such as those in bone marrow, give rise to a limited range of related cell types. B is wrong because adults keep stem cells in niches such as bone marrow and hair follicles. D describes a differentiated cell, which is the end point of the pathway rather than the stem cell itself.

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The 5 questions in B2.3

  1. B2.3-01 Shared property of stem cellsPaper 1A style · multiple choice · 1 mark
  2. B2.3-02 Body size and heat lossPaper 1A style · multiple choice · 1 mark
  3. B2.3-03 Cardiac and striated musclePaper 1A style · multiple choice · 1 mark · HL
  4. B2.3-04 Stem cells in medicinePaper 2 style · short answer · 7 marks
  5. B2.3-05 Body size, huddling and heat lossPaper 1B style · data-based · 10 marks

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Every Biology and Chemistry question here is original, written for practice in the style of the papers set since the 2025 syllabus, with invented data. Developed independently from the International Baccalaureate Organization, which has not endorsed it. Found a mistake? Email vytis@limeadmissions.com with the question id.