2. Molecular Biology – 2.

8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

Understandings, Applications and Skills (This is what you maybe assessed on)

Statement Guidance
2.8.U1 Cell respiration is the controlled release of energy from Details of the metabolic pathways of cell
organic compounds to produce ATP. respiration are not needed but the
substrates and final waste products should
be known.
2.8.U2 ATP from cell respiration is immediately available as a
source of energy in the cell.

2.8.U3 Anaerobic cell respiration gives a small yield of ATP from

glucose.

2.8.U4 Aerobic cell respiration requires oxygen and gives a large

yield of ATP from glucose.

2.8.A1 Use of anaerobic cell respiration in yeasts to produce

ethanol and carbon dioxide in baking.

2.8.A2 Lactate production in humans when anaerobic respiration

is used to maximize the power of muscle contractions.

2.8.S1 Analysis of results from experiments involving There are many simple respirometers which
measurement of respiration rates in germinating seeds or could be used. Students are expected to
invertebrates using a respirometer. know that an alkali is used to absorb CO2,
so reductions in volume are due to oxygen
use. Temperature should be kept constant
to avoid volume changes due to
temperature fluctuations.

2.8.U2 ATP from cell respiration is immediately available as a source of energy in the cell.

1. Draw and annotate a molecule of ATP to show how it stores and releases energy.

2. List the three main cellular process that use ATP as a source of energy.
2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

● protein synthesis
● active transport
● DNA/ RNA replication

2.8.U1 Cell respiration is the controlled release of energy from organic compounds to produce ATP.

3. Define cell respiration

the controlled release of energy from organic compounds in cells to form ATP

4. Cell respiration is an example of a metabolic process. State the type of molecules that control the
process of respiration.
glucose / carbohydrates

5. Explain why cell respiration must happen within every living cell.
cell respiration is a source of ATP production, which is needed to carry out energetic processes, such as
muscle contraction, active transport, protein synthesis, vesicle transport, DNA/RNA replication, cell
signalling

6. Identify two organic molecules, other than glucose, which could be used for respiration.
lipids / fatty acids and proteins

7. Identify the two components of the cell in which respiration takes place.
mitochondria, cytoplasm

8. Distinguish between the terms aerobic and anaerobic.

aerobic is the loss of heat to form ATP and uses oxygen, while anaerobic does not use oxygen and lives
in environments with low to no oxygen

2.8.U4 Aerobic cell respiration requires oxygen and gives a large yield of ATP from glucose.

9. Label the diagram of aerobic cell respiration below.

2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

Gluco pyruvate
se CO2
ADP
ATP

ADP H2O
O ATP
2

2.8.S1 Analysis of results from experiments involving measurement of respiration rates in germinating
seeds or invertebrates using a respirometer.

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/practical-biology/measuring-rate-metabolism
Respirometers vary greatly in their design, but all can be used to calculate the rate of respiration by
measuring the consumption of oxygen. Below shows the design of a typical respirometer.

10. Explain the function of each of the following parts of the respirometer.

a. Potassium hydroxide (alkali) solution:

2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

hydroxide solutions are used to absorb carbon dioxide in the air

b. Filter paper wicks:

increase the efficiency of carbon dioxide absorption

c. Capillary tube containing coloured oil:

movement in the oil per minute toward tube B measures the rate of oxygen consumption. if the
diameter of the capillary tube is known then a volume can be calculated

d. Rubber bungs sealing each tube:

closes the system to prevent changes in air volume not due to respiration

e. Syringe:
used to reset the position of the coloured oil

f. Metal cage:
keeps the organism in place and away from contact with the hydroxide solution

11. The respirometer could function without the presence of tube A. Given that fact explain why the inclusion
of tube A still important to the validity of the results obtained from the respirometer.
Tube A acts as a control to ensure that changes in the level of coloured oil are due to respiration, not
the reaction of the alkali with atmospheric gases other than carbon dioxide

12. The respirometer can be used to measure the rate of respiration in a range of experiments.

g. Outline how the respirometer can be used to measure the impact of temperature upon respiration.
the respirometer is immersed in a water bath to prevent temperature affecting the pressure and hence
volume of air in the apparatus
h. The respirometer above can also be used to measure the respiration rate in small invertebrates.
Describe the ethical and environment concerns that must be addressed before the respirometer can
be used for animal experimentation.
- is it acceptable to remove animals from their natural habitat for use in an experiment?
- can the animals be safely returned to their habitat?
- will the animals suffer pain or any other harm during the experiment?
- can the risk of accidents that cause pain or suffering to the animals be minimized during the
experiment? in particular, can contact with the alkali be prevented?
- is the use of animals in the experiment essential or is there an alternative method that
avoids using animals?

13. In the absence of equipment you can use the follow the worksheet and complete the virtual lab.

● Worksheet (Q1-10): http://biologycorner.com/worksheets/cellular_respiration_AP_Lab5_virtual.html

● Virtual lab: http://biologycorner.com/worksheets/cellular_respiration_AP_Lab5_virtual.html
2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

2.8.U3 Anaerobic cell respiration gives a small yield of ATP from glucose.

14. Label the diagram of anaerobic cell respiration below.

Ethanol +
CO2
2x
glucose
pyruvate

ADP+P ATP Lactic acid

15. Complete the table below to compare and contrast aerobic and anaerobic respiration.

Aerobic Anaerobic

Glucose (and other hexose sugars) used in both types of respiration

Lipids and amino acids (if in excess) can
also be used
Oxygen in no oxygen required

36-38 ATP produced 2 ATP produced

Pyruvate is an intermediate compound in both types of respiration

Yeast Animals

Carbon dioxide produced ethanol produced lactic acid produced

Water produced CO2 produced

2.8.A1 Use of anaerobic cell respiration in yeasts to produce ethanol and carbon dioxide in baking.

16. Describe how and why yeast is used in bread making.

2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

- bread is made by adding water to flour, kneading (mixing) the mixture to make dough and then
baking it. usually, an ingredient is added to the dough to create bubbles of gas, so that the baked
bread has a lighter texture (e.g. yeast)
- after mixing, the dough is kept warm to encourage the yeast to respire
- yeast can respire aerobically or anaerobically, but oxygen in the dough is soon used up so the yeast
is forced to respire anaerobically.
- the CO2 produced by anaerobic cell respiration cannot escape from the dough and forms bubbles
causing the dough to swell and rise
- ethanol is also produced by anaerobic cell respiration, but it evaporates during baking

17. Bioethanol is ethanol produced by living organisms, for use as a renewable energy source. It can be
used as a fuel in vehicles, sometimes in a pure state and sometimes mixed with gasoline (petrol).
Describe how bioethanol can be produced from plant material with reference to the function of yeast in
the process.
- most bioethanol is produced from sugar cane and maize, using yeast
- starch and cellulose in the plant material are broken down by enzymes into sugars
- fermenters are used to keep the yeast in optimum conditions
- when yeast carry out anaerobic respiration, the sugars in the plant material are converted to ethanol
and CO2
- the ethanol produced by the yeasts is purified by distillation and water is removed to improve
combustion

2.8.A2 Lactate production in humans when anaerobic respiration is used to maximize the power of muscle
contractions.

18. State three activities that require anaerobic respiration.

● weightlifting
● sprinting
● high-intensity exercises

19. Aerobic respiration generates a much greater yield of ATP. Despite this it is still important for humans to
carry out anaerobic respiration. State the main advantages to humans of anaerobic respiration.

aerobic respiration generates a much greater yield of ATP, but anaerobic respiration can supply ATP
very rapidly, as oxygen is not required

20. Explain why anaerobic respiration can only be done for short periods of time.
rapid generation of ATP enables us to maximize the power of muscle contractions
2. Molecular Biology – 2.8 Cell Respiration Name: Seohyun Han

21. Describe the term ‘oxygen debt’ and explain why it must be repaid after anaerobic respiration has
stopped.
- anaerobic cell respiration produces lactate. there is a limit to the concentration that the body can
tolerate and this limits how much or how long anaerobic respiration can be done for
- afterwards, lactate must be broken down. this involves the use of oxygen. it can take several minutes
for enough oxygen to be absorbed for all lactate to be broken down. the demand for oxygen that
builds up during a period of anaerobic respiration is called the oxygen debt.

Citations:

Allott, Andrew. Biology: Course Companion. S.l.: Oxford UP, 2014. Print.

Taylor, Stephen. "Essential Biology 03.7 Respiration.docx." Web. 18 Nov. 2014. <http://www.slideshare.net/gurustip/essential-
biology-37-respiration-core>.
http://bioknowledgy.weebly.com/28-cell-respiration.html