Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2014

Last exams 2024

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Cell Respiration (DP IB Biology: HL)

Exam Questions

3 hours35 questions
1a
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2 marks

The diagram shows a mitochondrion.

mitochondria-label-parts-sq

Identify the parts labelled A and B.

1b
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3 marks

The stages of respiration take part in different locations in a cell as shown in the table below.

Complete the missing parts of the table.

Stage of respiration Location in cell
  Cytoplasm
Link Reaction  
Krebs cycle Matrix of mitochondria
Oxidative phosphorylation  

1c
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1 mark

Mitochondria are highly adapted to carry out respiration. One adaptation is a highly folded inner membrane, the cristae.

Describe how the folding of a membrane is an adaptation of an organelle such as the mitochondria.

1d
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1 mark

Anaerobic respiration also occurs in cells, but not in the mitochondria.

State the names of the two types of anaerobic respiration. One type occurs in animal cells and the other type occurs in yeast cells.

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2a
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2 marks

Respiration can be represented by a chemical equation. 

State the balanced chemical equation for aerobic respiration.

2b
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1 mark

Respiration involves the oxidation and reduction of chemical compounds. 

Define oxidation in terms of electrons lost or gained. 

2c
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1 mark

The diagram below shows the cyclic formation of ATP from ADP. 

Use the diagram to identify which of processes A and B is the process of phosphorylation. 

WdhpUAhM_-cycling-of-atp-and-adp

2d
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2 marks

Phosphorylation occurs during the process of glycolysis.  

Use the diagram below to describe phosphorylation during glycolysis.

glycolysis-ib-specific

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3a
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1 mark

The Link Reaction is described as an oxidative decarboxylation reaction. 

State which molecule is decarboxylated during the Link Reaction.  

3b
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2 marks

Coenzyme A is a molecule used in the Link Reaction, 

State the role of coenzyme A in the Link Reaction.

3c
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1 mark

During the Krebs cycle, two molecules of carbon dioxide are released. 

State how many molecules of carbon dioxide are released in the Krebs cycle per glucose molecule.

3d
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2 marks

The coenzyme NAD is reduced six times during the Krebs cycle stage of respiration. 

Describe the events that occur to the molecule of NAD in order to reduce it. 

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4a
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1 mark

The diagram below shows the process of oxidative phosphorylation. 

8-4-q-4b

Identify enzyme A from the diagram.

4b
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3 marks

Describe the role of enzyme A from the diagram in part (a). 

4c
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2 marks

An important process in respiration is the electron transport chain.  This uses a series of redox reactions where electrons, donated from specific molecules, are transported through a chain of electron carriers.

State the two molecules which act as electron donors in the electron transport chain. 

4d
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3 marks

Oxygen is described as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain.  

Explain the importance of oxygen as the final electron acceptor.

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5a
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3 marks

One mark is available for clarity of communication throughout this question.

Describe the steps involved in the link reaction. 

5b
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4 marks

Describe the role of the inner membrane of the mitochondria. 

5c
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8 marks

The four main stages of aerobic respiration are glycolysis, the link reaction, Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation.

Describe each stage, including the location of each. 

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1a2 marks

Mitochondrial diseases in humans cause their mitochondria to malfunction. Individuals that suffer from mitochondrial disease are only able to endure intense exercise for a short period of time.

Explain why this is.

1b1 mark

The diagram below shows a mitochondrion.

q1b_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq

Identify the structures labelled A and B in the diagram

1c3 marks

Some forms of mitochondrial dysfunction result in mitochondria that lack fully formed cristae as shown in the diagram below.q1c_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq

Suggest, with a reason, the effect of this on the production of ATP.

1d1 mark

The diagram below shows glycolysis.

q1d_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq

State the net production of ATP and reduced NAD during glycolysis.

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2a3 marks

The Krebs cycle, which takes place in the mitochondrial matrix, releases hydrogen ions.

These hydrogen ions provide a source of energy for the synthesis of ATP, using coenzyme.

Describe the role of the coenzymes in the synthesis of ATP.

2b2 marks

Explain why the link reaction is described as an oxidative decarboxylation reaction.

2c2 marks

The diagram below shows the Krebs cycle.q2c_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq-png

Identify the number of carbon atoms (e.g. 1C) at each stage of the Krebs cycle.

2d2 marks

NAD and FAD are important electron carriers produced throughout the stages of respiration.

Complete the table below to show how many molecules of NAD and FAD are produced at each stage per molecule of glucose.

Stage of respiration

Number of NAD molecules

Number of FAD molecules

Glycolysis

 

 

Link reaction

 

 

Krebs cycle

 

 

Electron transport chain

 

 

Chemiosmosis

 

 

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3a3 marks

Describe the role of oxygen in respiration.

3b3 marks

Outline the events of the electron transport chain.

3c2 marks

The diagram below shows part of a mitochondrion. q3c_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq

Suggest, with a reason, which part of the mitochondrion is shown in the diagram.

3d1 mark

Label parts A, B and C in the diagram in part c).

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4a3 marks

Draw an annotated diagram of a mitochondrion as seen through an electron microscope.

Your drawing should be a longitudinal cross-section; it should show the mitochondrion as if it has been cut open end-to-end.

4b2 marks

Electron tomography has been used to make new discoveries about mitochondria.

Describe features of the mitochondria that have been identified by the use of electron tomography.

4c1 mark

The diagram below shows the cristae of a mitochondrion viewed with a magnification of x7000.q4c_8-2_cell_respiration_medium_ib_hl_biology_sq-png

Use the information from the diagram and above to calculate the actual size space between A and B. You may assume that the line AB, when printed on paper, has a length of 3.5 cm. 

4d3 marks

Phosphorylation occurs on the cristae membrane.

  1. Describe the process of phosphorylation of ATP.   
  2. State the stage(s) of respiration in which substrate level phosphorylation occurs.

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5a8 marks

One mark is available for clarity of communication throughout this question.

Describe the mechanism by which ATP is formed in the mitochondria.

5b4 marks

In the 1960s Peter Mitchell developed the theory of chemiosmosis which was a novel idea from the current theories.

Outline the key principles of his hypothesis that made it a paradigm shift.

5c3 marks

Explain the relationship between the structure of the mitochondria and how it is related to its function.

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1a
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1 mark

Most plants can respire aerobically and anaerobically.  The diagram below shows a summary of anaerobic respiration.

process-a-and-b

State precisely in the cell where Process A occurs.

1b
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2 marks

The diagram below shows a summary of the processes involved in aerobic respiration. 

aerobic-respiration

Explain how Process D enables Process A to continue

1c
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3 marks

Aerobic respiration produces more ATP per molecule of glucose than anaerobic respiration. 

Explain why.

1d
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3 marks

Different stages of respiration can be inhibited by a range of substances. DNP is a steroid drug used in the weight loss industry. It inhibits respiration by preventing a proton gradient being maintained across membranes. When added to isolated mitochondria it caused the following effects:

  • Less ATP produced
  • Increase in heat production
  • No change in the uptake of oxygen 

Explain how DNP caused these changes.

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2a
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3 marks

The Krebs cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. The process releases hydrogen ions which provide a source of energy for the synthesis of ATP, using co-enzymes and carrier proteins.

Describe the role of co-enzymes and carrier proteins in the production of ATP. 

2b
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2 marks

The following reaction takes place in the Krebs cycle.

succinate-enzyme-reaction

A student investigated the effect of the enzyme inhibitor malonate on this reaction. The structure of malonate is similar to the structure of succinate.

In the investigation, the student added malonate and the respiratory substrate, pyruvate, to a suspension of isolated mitochondria. She also bubbled oxygen through the suspension.

Explain why the student used pyruvate and not glucose as a respiratory substrate.  

2c
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2 marks

Explain how malonate inhibits the formation of fumarate from succinate. 

2d
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2 marks

The student measured the uptake of oxygen by the mitochondria during the investigation. The uptake of oxygen decreased when malonate was added.

Explain why.

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3a
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2 marks

A group of scientists measured the mean rate of respiration in soil found under trees and soil that was not from under trees within the same woodland. The mean rate of photosynthesis in leaves was also measured. The measurements were taken throughout a 24 hour period during the summer.  

The diagram below shows the scientists' results. 

lcstjsko-image

Suggest an explanation for the mean rate of respiration in soil not under the trees between midday and sunset. 

3b
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2 marks

The mean rate of respiration is higher in soil under the trees throughout the 24hours. The scientists suggested the mean rate of photosynthesis was the cause of this. 

Suggest how the rise in the mean rate of photosynthesis could lead to the rise in the mean rate of respiration in soil under trees.

3c
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1 mark

Suggest why there is a delay between the rise in the mean rate of photosynthesis and the rise in the mean rate of respiration. 

3d
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2 marks

State the measurements needed for the scientists to calculate the rate of carbon dioxide production. 

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4a
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3 marks

The diagram below shows the main stages of aerobic respiration.

8NENyROy_image

 Name substances A, B and C

4b
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2 marks

Annotate on the diagram,

(i)
with an X, where oxidation occurs


(ii)
[1]

with a Y, where decarboxylation occurs

[1]

4c
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1 mark

State precisely where in the cell Process 2 is occurring. 

4d
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2 marks

Compare the roles of NAD+ and NADH in Process 1 and Process 3.

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5a
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5 marks

One mark is available for clarity of communication throughout this question.

A large number of disorders are being linked to mitochondrial disease, MD. MD can affect the skeletal muscles, causing fatigue and weakness. Some mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations of mitochondrial genes inside the mitochondria. Most mitochondrial diseases are caused by mutations of genes in the cell nucleus that are involved in the functioning of mitochondria. 

One form of MD is caused by a mutation of a mitochondrial gene that codes for a tRNA. which changes the anticodon on the tRNA.  This results in the formation of a non-functional protein in the mitochondrion.

Suggest how a  change in anticodon on the tRNA can lead to muscle weakness and fatigue.

5b
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3 marks

A person with MD often has a decreased uptake of oxygen in their respiring cells. This has been attributed to an inhibitory compound of the Krebs cycle.

Explain why an inhibitor of the Krebs cycle would decrease the rate of oxygen uptake by cells.

5c
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7 marks

Explain the role of chemiosmosis in the process of oxidative phosphorylation 

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