IB Biology D1.3: Mutations and gene editing (first exams in 2025)

This lesson can be purchased as part of the IB Complete course bundle (first exams 2025) at a heavily discounted price, formed of 40 fully resourced lessons, end of topic exams and student checklists. It can be found here

This PowerPoint contains everything you need to teach the Theme/Unit D1.3: Mutations and gene editing in the new IB Biology specification.

YouTube video is a preview of the full resource (does not include all slides)

This Powerpoint consists of over 50 slides and contains the followings:

All the information the IB have included in the new spec.

Clear diagrams
Student friendly content
Summary videos
Student research tasks
Clearly identified HL and SL content
Student checklist
Summary

The following content is included:

D1.3.1: Explain that gene mutations are structural changes to genes at the molecular level.
D1.3.2: Outline the consequences of base substitutions.
D1.3.3: Outline the consequences of insertions and deletions.
D1.3.4: Recall that gene mutations can be caused by mutagens and by errors in DNA replication or repair.
D1.3.5: Explain that mutations can occur anywhere in the base sequences of a genome.
D1.3.6: Explain the effects of gene mutations occurring in germ cells and somatic cells.
D1.3.7: Recognise that gene mutation is the original source of all genetic variation.
D1.3.8: Outline that gene knockout is a technique for investigating the function of a gene by changing it to make it inoperative.
D1.3.9: Explain the use of the CRISPR sequences and the enzyme Cas9 in gene editing.
D1.3.10: Describe the hypotheses for conserved or highly conserved sequences in genes