Respiration Questions
Respiration Questions
Respiration Questions
Pyruvate
NAD electron-transport
Link reaction NADH + H + chain
Acetyl Coenzyme A
NAD electron-transport
Krebs cycle
NADH + H + chain
(a) State precisely where Krebs cycle takes place within a cell.
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(1)
(b) Name the process that results in the production of ATP from ADP by the electron-
transport chain.
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(1)
(c) With reference to the diagram, explain why Krebs cycle can only take place when oxygen
is available.
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(Total 4 marks)
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2. The diagram below shows a summary of glycolysis and two alternative pathways that may
follow this process in anaerobic conditions.
Glucose
Glycolysis
Pathway A Pathway B
Takes place in Takes place in
exercising muscles X yeast cells
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(1)
(b) In glycolysis, NAD is converted to its reduced form (NADH + H+). Describe how NAD
is regenerated in pathway A.
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(2)
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(1)
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(d) Describe the role of reduced NAD (NADH + H+) when respiration takes place in aerobic
conditions.
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(3)
(Total 7 marks)
3. Give an account of the stages of respiration that take place in the mitochondrion, stating
the location of each stage.
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5. The flow chart below illustrates some of the stages that occur in glycolysis.
Glucose
2 ATP
2 ADP + 2 P i
ADP + Pi ADP + Pi
ATP ATP
Pyruvate Pyruvate
(a) State the net gain in ATP from one molecule of glucose in glycolysis.
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(1)
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(b) Explain why the yield of ATP from the respiration of one molecule of glucose when
oxygen is present is more than the yield of ATP from the respiration of one molecule of
glucose under anaerobic conditions.
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(5)
(Total 6 marks)
6. The diagram below shows part of a metabolic pathway which occurs in mitochondria.
NAD+ NADH + H +
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(2)
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(b) Suggest what happens to the NADH + H+ formed during the conversion of isocitrate to
oxalosuccinate.
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(2)
(c) The conversion of cis-aconitate to isocitrate is catalysed by the enzyme aconitase. The
leaves of some plants contain a substance called fluoroacetate. If this is eaten by animals,
it is absorbed into their cells where it is converted to fluorocitrate. Fluorocitrate is an
inhibitor of the enzyme aconitase.
Suggest what effect fluorocitrate would have on the production of ATP by mitochondria.
Give an explanation for your answer.
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(4)
(Total 8 marks)
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7. The diagram below shows a section through the membranes of a mitochondrion.
Inner membrane
Outer membrane
Cristae
Intermembrane
space
Stalked
particles
With reference to the structures labelled on the diagram, describe the role of the mitochondrial
membranes in the production of ATP.
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(Total 5 marks)
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8. In an investigation, small samples of tissue were removed from the leg muscles of international
athletes of the same age and sex. The athletes included sprinters (100 m), middle distance
runners (800 m) and long distance runners.
SDH is an enzyme involved in the reactions of the Krebs cycle. LDH is an enzyme that
catalyses the conversion of pyruvate to lactate.
The results of the analysis of the muscles are shown in the table below.
(a) Explain why successful sprinters usually have a low percentage of slow twitch fibres in
their leg muscles.
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(2)
(b) Explain the relationships between the mean activity of SDH and LDH in the leg muscles
and the distances run by the athletes.
(i) SDH
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(2)
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(ii) LDH
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(2)
(c) Describe the role of the electron transport chain of mitochondria in the synthesis of ATP.
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(d) Explain the fate of lactate produced by the activity of LDH in athletes such as sprinters.
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(2)
(Total 12 marks)
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9. An investigation was carried out into the effect of cyanide on the respiration of yeast cells.
Cyanide is an electron transport inhibitor. It binds irreversibly with one of the electron carriers.
The yeast cells were mixed with a buffer solution which had ADP, phosphate ions and glucose
dissolved in it. This suspension was incubated for 30 minutes and during this time the oxygen
content of the solution was monitored using an oxygen probe.
The experiment was then repeated but cyanide was added to the suspension after 5 minutes of
incubation.
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Oxygen content of
the suspension 8
/ arbitrary units Cyanide added
6
0 No cyanide added
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Time of incubation / minutes
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(1)
(b) Explain why the oxygen content of the suspension did not change after the cyanide was
added.
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(c) Suggest why the oxygen content of the suspension of cells without cyanide did not reach
zero.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)
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10. The flow diagram below shows some of the steps involved in glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
Some ATP is made directly. Hydrogen is also released and this can result in the production of
more ATP.
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(a) Describe how the hydrogen released during glycolysis and the Krebs cycle results in the
production of ATP.
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(4)
(b) Using the information in the diagram, state the number of ATP molecules produced from
one triose phosphate molecule.
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(1)
(c) As well as carbohydrates, triglycerides can be respired. The first step is to break down
each triglyceride molecule into glycerol and three fatty acids.
Each fatty acid is broken down into acetyl CoA molecules. The acetyl CoA molecules
then enter the Krebs cycle.
(i) Using the information in the diagram, state the number of ATP molecules produced
from one acetyl CoA molecule.
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(1)
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(ii) Suggest why fatty acids can only be respired under aerobic conditions.
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(3)
(Total 9 marks)
11. The diagram below summarises some of the stages of a metabolic pathway responsible for
generating ATP in mitochondria.
reduced
oxidised
hydrogen
cytochrome
carrier
2H 2e
(from 2e
reduced NAD)
oxidised reduced
hydrogen cytochrome
carrier 2H +
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(1)
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(ii) Name the type of enzyme involved in this pathway and explain its role.
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(b) Explain what happens to the electrons released at the end of this pathway.
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(2)
(Total 5 marks)
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12. In oxidative phosphorylation, ATP is formed when electrons pass down the electron transport
chain from one component to the next. ATP is synthesised at three sites.
The order of some components in the electron transport chain and the three sites of ATP
synthesis are shown in the diagram below.
Reduced NAD
Site 1
Coenzyme Q Reduced FAD
Cytochrome b
Site 2
Cytochrome c1
Cytochrome c
Cytochrome a
Site 3
Oxygen
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(a) The oxidation of one molecule of reduced NAD (NADH + H+) yields three molecules of
ATP.
Using the information given in the diagram above and your knowledge of mitochondria
and oxidative phosphorylation, explain how the three molecules of ATP are made.
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(4)
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(b) The diagram below shows some of the stages that occur in the Krebs cycle.
1 reduced NAD
1 reduced NAD
CO 2
Fumarate (4C) Succinate (4C)
1 reduced FAD
Using the information given in both diagrams, explain why the oxidation of one molecule
of succinate to oxaloacetate yields only five molecules of ATP.
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(c) State where in the cell the following processes take place.
Glycolysis...................................................................................................................
Krebs cycle.................................................................................................................
(3)
(Total 10 marks)
13. The diagram below shows some of the stages in aerobic respiration.
Glucose
2H ATP A
pyruvate
2H X
acetyl CoA
4 carbon 6 carbon
compound compound
B
ATP
X
X 2H
5 carbon
6H compound
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(1)
A ........................................................................................................................
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(1)
(b) Explain what happens to the hydrogen that is produced during stage B.
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(c) Explain how ATP is able to supply energy for biological processes.
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(1)
(Total 7 marks)
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15. The table below refers to three major stages of aerobic respiration and the products of each
stage.
Complete the table by inserting the part of the cell in which the stage occurs and two products in
the blank spaces.
Glycolysis
(Total 4 marks)
16. (a) The diagram below shows an outline of anaerobic respiration in a yeast cell.
Glucose
2H
Substance X
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(1)
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(ii) Explain why it is necessary for the cell to convert ethanal to ethanol.
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(b) A student carried out an investigation into the effect of glucose and sucrose on the rate of
respiration of yeast cells. Triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) is an artificial hydrogen
acceptor, which is colourless in the oxidised form and red when reduced. A colorimeter is
an instrument used to measure the percentage of light transmitted through a liquid. In this
investigation, when the TTC is fully oxidised 100% of the light is transmitted through the
liquid. The darker the red colour of the TTC solution becomes, the lower the percentage
of light transmitted.
Yeast cells were suspended in 0.5% glucose solution. The student set up a tube containing
10 cm3 of this suspension and 1 cm3 of TTC solution. The tube was covered and placed
in a water bath for 20 minutes. During this time, the percentage of light transmitted
through the solution was measured at two-minute intervals.
The experiment was repeated using yeast cells suspended in 0.5% sucrose solution.
100
80
Percentage
of light 60
transmitted
(%) Glucose
40
20 Sucrose
0
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 18 20
Time / min
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(i) Describe the rate of respiration of yeast in the glucose solution during the 20
minutes of this investigation.
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(ii) State one way in which the rate of respiration of yeast in the sucrose solution
differs from the rate in the glucose solution.
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(1)
(iii) Explain why the tubes were covered during this investigation.
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(iv) Explain why the student placed the tubes in a water bath.
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(Total 11 marks)
17. The diagram below shows a simple respirometer used to investigate gas exchange in
germinating seeds.
1 cm 3 syringe
Scale
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(a) Suggest a function for each of the following.
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(b) Suggest why immersing the respirometer in a water bath helps to ensure that the results
are reliable.
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(2)
(c) In an investigation to measure the rate of oxygen uptake by the seeds, the coloured liquid
moved 12 mm up the right hand side of the capillary tube in 15 minutes. The cross-
sectional area of the capillary tube is 0.19 mm2.
18. (a) The diagram below shows some of the stages of anaerobic respiration in a muscle cell.
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Glucose
Stage 1
Fructose 1,6-bisphosphate
Glycolysis Stage 2
Glycerate 3-phosphate
Stage 3
Substance A
Stage 4
Lactic Acid
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(1)
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(b) The Krebs cycle occurs during aerobic respiration and is an example of a metabolic
pathway.
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(1)
(ii) State precisely where in the cell the Krebs cycle occurs.
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(1)
(c) The diagram below shows some of the stages that occur in the Krebs cycle.
A
Oxaloacetate (4C) Citrate (6C)
B
1 reduced NAD 1 reduced NAD
F
CO2
Malate (4C) a -keto glutarate
E C 1 reduced NAD
CO2
Fumarate (4C) Succinate (4C)
D
1 reduced FAD
Oxidoreductase enzymes are involved in some of the reactions in the Krebs cycle.
Using the letters A to F and the information given in the diagram, list all the stages that
involve an oxidoreductase enzyme.
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(1)
(Total 6 marks)
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19. Isolated mitochondria in a solution containing inorganic phosphate and an electron donor can be
used to study respiration. An electrode is used to record changes in oxygen concentration while
mitochondria respire. The graph below shows changes in oxygen concentration for some
isolated mitochondria.
ADP added
oxygen concentration
arbitrary units
of solution /
Time / milliseconds
(a) (i) Describe and explain the trends shown on the graph above.
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(ii) Name an electron donor used in the electron transport chain in mitochondria.
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(1)
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(1)
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(b) ATP is used to provide an immediate supply of energy for biological processes.
Describe the role of ATP in the following processes.
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(2)
(Total 12 marks)
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