45 Biology Extended Essay Topics and Ideas for IB Students

Are you currently brainstorming IB Biology Extended Essay topics and need some potential ideas? You’ve come to the right place.

This article features a list of topics in different categories. Below you’ll find examples in cell biology, human physiology, ecology and environmental science, genetics and evolution, biotechnology and bioinformatics, plant biology, and more.

Once you choose a topic, you’ll write an extended essay report that demonstrates a detailed and analytical narrative that demonstrate your ability to present biological concepts in a clear and engaging way.

Biology Extended Essay Topics

The following are some interesting Biology Extended Essay topics based on different categories:

Cell Biology 

1. Investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of osmosis in plant cells  
2. The impact of pH on enzyme activity in amylase-mediated starch breakdown
3. Investigating the influence of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis in algal cells
4. The effects of different sugar concentrations on the growth of yeast cells
5. Membrane proteins in the transport of ions across cell membranes
6. The effect of ethanol on the permeability of beetroot cell membranes
7. Analyzing the impact of various salt concentrations on cell turgidity in potato cells 
8. The effect of UV radiation on DNA damage in human cell cultures

Human Physiology 

1. Investigating the effect of exercise intensity on heart rate recovery time
2. Analyzing the impact of caffeine on reaction times in humans
3. Exploring the relationship between hydration levels and blood pressure 
4. Investigating the effects of different breathing techniques on lung capacity
5. The impact of different diets on blood glucose levels in non-diabetic individuals
6. Analyzing the effects of sleep deprivation on short-term memory retention 
7. Investigating the influence of age on reflex response times
8. A study of the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and resting heart rate

Ecology and Environmental Science 

1. Investigating the effect of urbanization on biodiversity in local ecosystems
2. The impact of pH levels on the population dynamics of aquatic organisms
3. Exploring the relationship between soil moisture content and plant growth in a controlled environment
4. The impact of invasive species on native plant diversity
5. The role of pollinators in the yield of specific crops
6. Comparing the water quality of natural and synthetic ponds using bio indicators 
7. The effect of deforestation on the population of soil-dwelling organisms
8. Investigating the impact of fertilizer runoff on algal bloom formation in freshwater ecosystems
9. The role of mangrove forests in carbon sequestration

Genetics and Evolution  

1. Inheritance patterns of certain traits in fruit flies (Drosophila melanogaster)
2. Exploring the relationship between genetic diversity and disease resistance in crop plants
3. The genetic basis of antibiotic resistance in bacteria from different environments
4. A study of the correlation between genetic traits and survival rates in a specific animal population
5. The rate of gene expression under different environmental conditions in model organisms
6. Exploring the link between genetic predisposition and environmental factors in plant phenotypes
7. A comparative study of genetic variation in isolated versus widespread populations of a species

Biotechnology and Bioinformatics 

1. The efficiency of different DNA extraction methods from plant tissues
2. Analyzing the effectiveness of CRISPR technology in targeting specific genes in model organisms
3. The role of plasmids in the production of recombinant proteins
4. Analyzing the accuracy of different software tools in predicting protein structures 
5. The effect of temperature on the efficiency of PCR amplification
6. A study of the accuracy of bioinformatics tools in identifying genetic mutations. 
7. Exploring the use of microarrays in identifying gene expression patterns in diseased versus healthy tissues

Plant Biology 

1. The effect of light wavelength on the rate of photosynthesis in aquatic plants
2. Analyzing the impact of different soil types on the growth rate of legumes 
3. Exploring the effect of salinity on seed germination in halophytic versus non-halophytic plants. 
4. Investigating the relationship between stomatal density and water availability in different plant species 
5. Analyzing the effect of fertilizer type on the yield of a specific crop
6. The role of auxins in phototropism and gravitropism in seedlings

How to Choose a Biology Extended Essay Topic

When it comes to IB Biology EE topic selection, you have to:

1. Choose a Topic Focused on Biology

The topic you chose should allow you to incorporate biological theories. Additionally, the emphasis must be 100% biological and less connected to another subject.

While identical grading criteria apply to all extended essays in experimental sciences, the topic you choose for Biology has to provide a clearly distinct biological perspective.

2. Avoid Topics Likely to Cause Harm

Some topics aren’t suitable for research due to ethical concerns.

• Topics that require investigations based on trials that are likely to cause stress or pain aren’t eligible for the report.
• Investigations likely to have a negative impact on health, such as microorganism cultivation at or near body temperature are inappropriate.
• Topics that require access to or release of personal medical information are not suitable for investigation.

Some topics may not be acceptable for examination due to safety concerns. You must avoid experiments that require the use of hazardous chemicals, carcinogenic compounds, or radioactive materials, unless proper safety equipment and trained supervision are available.

3. Ignore Obvious Topics

Don’t work on a topic whose conclusion is already obvious and clearly documented in a standard textbook.

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