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Date	May 2018	Marks available	6	Reference code	18M.3.HL.TZ2.13
Level	Higher level	Paper	Paper 3	Time zone	Time zone 2
Command term	Discuss	Question number	13	Adapted from	N/A

Question

Discuss the use of microorganisms in bioremediation.

Markscheme

a. pollutants metabolized by microorganisms

b. microorganisms useful in bioremediation because they multiply very quickly «by binary fission»

c. are varied in their metabolism/inorganic reactions

d. use pollutants as energy/carbon sources

e. use pollutants as electron acceptors «in cellular respiration»

f. bioremediation may convert heavy metals into less toxic forms «in the food chain»

g. pollution incidents can involve bioremediation combined with physical/chemical procedures

h. preferable to physical methods because of cost/time

i. preferable to chemical methods which can leave toxic residues

j. different microorganisms to be used dependent on abiotic conditions

k. one named organism

Examiners report

[N/A]

Syllabus sections

Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics) » B.3 Environmental protection

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16N.3.SL.TZ0.10b:
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19M.3.HL.TZ1.11b:
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………………......… mol m^–3
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17N.3.HL.TZ0.11b:
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17N.3.SL.TZ0.11:
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[Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:OilCleanupAfterValdezSpill.jpg]

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[Source: © International Baccalaureate Organization 2020.]

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Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics » Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics (Core topics)

Option B: Biotechnology and bioinformatics

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Markscheme

Examiners report

Syllabus sections

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