C1.2 Cell respiration questions for IB Biology
44 questions on Cell respiration, written by Augment in the style of IB exam papers. Six of them are below in full, to answer on paper.
- IB Biology
- Part of C Interaction and interdependence
- SL and HL
Questions by paper and level
SL and HL questions are for students at either level. HL only questions cover what only HL students study.
| Paper | SL and HL | HL only | All |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1A | 7 | 13 | 20 |
| Paper 1B | 3 | 3 | 6 |
| Paper 2 | 6 | 12 | 18 |
| Every paper | 16 | 28 | 44 |
Counted on
Questions to try
Written by Augment in the style of IB exams, not past papers. Answer them on paper, then check each one against its markscheme with a free account.
ATP (adenosine triphosphate) is a nucleotide. Which components make up one molecule of ATP?
Mitochondria were isolated from rat heart muscle and suspended in an isotonic buffer at 30 °C. The rate of oxygen consumption was measured with an oxygen sensor after adding either no substrate, glucose or pyruvate at the same concentration. Rates are expressed per mg of mitochondrial protein. Each treatment was repeated four times. The table shows the rate of oxygen consumption in nmol O2 min-1 mg-1 protein.
Substrate added | Trial 1 | Trial 2 | Trial 3 | Trial 4 | Mean |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
None | 3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4.0 |
Glucose | 6 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 5.5 |
Pyruvate | 58 | 66 | 61 | 63 | X |
- (a)
Identify the dependent variable.
1 mark
- (b)
Calculate the mean rate X.
1 mark
- (c)
Suggest why the rate was expressed per mg of mitochondrial protein.
1 mark
- (d)
State the purpose of the treatment with no substrate.
1 mark
- (e)
Explain why the mitochondria consumed almost no extra oxygen when glucose was added.
2 marks
- (f)
Explain how the structure of mitochondria allows them to use pyruvate and oxygen to produce ATP at a high rate.
3 marks
Living organisms release energy from food and use it in many ways.
- (a)
Outline the role of ATP in cells.
4 marks
- (b)
Explain how heat is produced by metabolism and how it is used to maintain a constant body temperature in humans.
7 marks
- (c)
Distinguish between linear and cyclical pathways in metabolism, using named examples.
4 marks
Which properties make ATP suitable as the energy currency of cells?
I. It is soluble in water, so it moves easily to where energy is needed in the cell.
II. Hydrolysis of one phosphate group releases enough energy for many cell tasks without wasting a large excess.
III. It is stored in large amounts as a long-term energy reserve in most cells.
Students used a respirometer to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of cell respiration in germinating pea seeds (Pisum sativum). Each respirometer contained 10.0 g of seeds and soda lime, which absorbs carbon dioxide. The respirometer was placed in a water bath and, after 10 minutes to equilibrate, the distance moved by a drop of coloured liquid in a capillary tube towards the seeds was recorded over 10 minutes. The internal cross-sectional area of the capillary tube was 1.0 mm2. Each temperature was tested three times.
Temperature / °C | Trial 1 / mm | Trial 2 / mm | Trial 3 / mm | Mean distance / mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
10 | 8 | 10 | 9 | 9.0 |
15 | 14 | 13 | 15 | 14.0 |
20 | 21 | 19 | 20 | 20.0 |
25 | 28 | 30 | 29 | 29.0 |
30 | 40 | 37 | 39 | 38.7 |
- (a)
State the dependent variable in this investigation.
1 mark
- (b)
Explain why soda lime was placed in the respirometer.
2 marks
- (c)
Calculate the mean rate of oxygen uptake at 30 °C in mm3 g-1 min-1. Show your working.
2 marks
- (d)
A second respirometer at each temperature contained 10.0 g of glass beads instead of seeds. Suggest the purpose of this respirometer.
1 mark
- (e)
Describe the effect of temperature on the distance moved by the coloured liquid.
2 marks
- (f)
Explain the effect of increasing temperature on the rate of cell respiration in the seeds.
2 marks
Animals use energy released by cell respiration to move.
- (a)
Explain how ATP is produced by chemiosmosis in mitochondria.
7 marks
- (b)
Describe how antagonistic muscles move the ribcage during ventilation of the lungs.
4 marks
- (c)
Suggest reasons why some animals undertake long-distance migrations despite the large amounts of energy used.
4 marks
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More questions in Interaction and interdependence
- C1.1Enzymes and metabolism
- C1.2Cell respirationThis page
- C1.3Photosynthesis
- C2.1Chemical signallingHL only
- C2.2Neural signalling
- C3.1Integration of body systems
- C3.2Defence against disease
- C4.1Populations and communities
- C4.2Transfers of energy and matter
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