Questions
DP Biology
Respiration
1. Define cell respiration.
2.
Write a word equation for the process of (aerobic) respiration, using glucose as a reactant.
3.
Write a balanced symbol equation for (aerobic) respiration, using glucose as a reactant.
4. Other than glucose or carbohydrates, which other organic compounds could be used in the process of
respiration?
5.
6.
In the space below, draw a simplified diagram of the structure of ATP.
Label the location of the high-energy bond.
State six energetic processes that make use of ATP.
7. Distinguish between aerobic and anaerobic in terms of respiration.
8.
In which two parts of the cell does aerobic cell respiration take place?
9.
Label the diagram of aerobic cell respiration below.
10. Label the diagram of anaerobic cell respiration below.
11. Complete the table below, comparing aerobic and anaerobic respiration.
Aerobic
Anaerobic
Hexose sugar input
Oxygen in
2 ATP produced
Pyruvate as an intermediate compound
Animals
Carbon dioxide produced
Water produced
Yeast
12. Complete the table below summarizing the events of aerobic cell respiration.
Reaction
Location
Purpose
ATP yield
Glycolysis
2
Matrix of the
mitochondrion
Convert pyruvate (3C)
to acetyl CoA (2C)
0
Krebs Cycle
Inner mitochondrial
membrane
Oxidative
phosphorylation
13. Label the diagram below with the correct processes, locations and compounds:
14. Many reactions in living things can be classified as either oxidation or reduction reactions.
These are particularly important in cell respiration and photosynthesis.
Complete the table below to compare oxidation and reduction reactions.
OXIDATION
Electrons are…
Oxygen is…
Hydrogen is…
15. Define phosphorylation.
lost
REDUCTION
16. List two ways in which phosphorylation is used in cell respiration.
17. In the space below, draw a diagram to show the process of glycolysis.
Include phosporylation, lysis, oxidation and ATP formation.
18. Explain the link reaction, including oxidative decarboxylation and conversion of pyruvate to
acetyl CoA and CO2.
19. The link reaction produces Acetyl CoA (2C) from the input substrate (usually pyruvate).
The extra carbon is released as carbon dioxide. Acetyl CoA can also be produced from
fatty acids. When the fatty acid chain contains an even number of carbons, no CO2 is
released. How many Acetyl CoA molecules can be produced with the following fatty acids?
a. 23C
b. 18C
c. 31C
20. Draw and label a diagram showing the structure of the mitochondrion as seen in a TEM image. Include the
inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, matrix, christae, mitochondrial DNA and ribosomes and a scale
bar.
21. Complete the table below with the functions of the structures of the mitochondrion.
How is each structure adapted to help maximize efficiency of respiration?
Structure:
Function:
Adapted to increase efficiency by:
Outer membrane
Inner membrane
(including christae)
Matrix
Mitochondrial DNA and
ribosomes
Inter-membrane space
22. What is an electron carrier?
23. Name two electron carriers that are used in cell respiration.
24. Where do the electron carriers produced in the link reaction and the Krebs cycle go?
25. In the space below, draw a diagram of the Krebs cycle.
Include formation of citrate, oxidation, decarboxylation, substrate-level phosphorylation (ATP formation) and
production of electron carriers.
26. Annotate the diagram below with the stages of the electron transport chain and oxidative
phosphorylation. Include generation of a H+ concentration gradient in the inter-membrane space, movement of
electrons, oxidative phosphorylation by ATP synthase, use of O2 as the terminal electron acceptor
27. In the space below, using the term ‘chemiosmosis’, describe how ATP synthase works.
28. Name compounds in cell respiration that contain:
a. Six carbons
b. Four carbons
c. Three carbons
d. Two carbons
e. One carbon
f.
Zero carbons
29. Name (with reasons) three tissues in the body that contain high numbers of mitochondria.
30. A runner is tested and high levels of lactic acid are found. Can you explain why?
31. Explain why ATP yield in aerobic cell respiration is so much higher than in anaerobic
respiration. (Long answer question – think about knock-on effects of reduced O2). 8 marks
Link questions :
32. Draw and annotate sketch graphs of the effects of the following variables on rate of respiration –
temperature, CoA concentration, pH.
33. The term ‘controlled release of energy’ from the definition of respiration is very important. In what way is
the rate of production of ATP controlled through respiration (hint – think back to enymes).
Sample exam questions:
Use lined paper for these questions. Remember – layout out your ideas clearly.
34. Describe the role of Acetyl CoA in the metabolism of lipids. (2 marks)
35. Explain chemiosmosis as it occurs in respiration. (2 marks)
36. Explain the process of aerobic respiration, including oxidative phosphorylation (8 marks)
37. Compare aerobic and anaerobic respiration, including yield of ATP. (8 marks)
Sample data analysis question (from IB QuestionBank)
38. At the start of glycolysis, glucose is phosphorylated to produce glucose 6-phosphate, which is converted
into fructose 6-phosphate. A second phosphorylation reaction is then carried out, in which fructose 6phosphate is converted into fructose
1,6-bisphosphate. This reaction is catalyzed by the
enzyme phosphofructokinase.
Biochemists measured the enzyme activity of phosphofructokinase (the rate at which it catalyzed the reaction) at
different concentrations of fructose 6-phosphate. The enzyme activity was measured with a low
concentration of ATP and a high concentration of ATP in the reaction mixture. The graph below shows the
results.
Low ATP concentration
Enzyme activity
High ATP concentration
Fructose 6-phosphate concentration
(a)
(i)
Using only the data in the above graph, outline the effect of increasing fructose 6-phosphate
concentration on the activity of phosphofructokinase, at a low ATP concentration.
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(2)
(ii)
Explain how increases in fructose 6-phosphate concentration affect the activity of the enzyme.
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(2)
(b)
(i)
Outline the effect of increasing the ATP concentration on the activity of phosphofructokinase.
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(2)
(ii)
Suggest an advantage to living organisms of the effect of ATP on phosphofructokinase.
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(1)
(Total 7 marks)