A Level Biology - Respiration - Exam-Style Questions

By Anonymous (not verified), 22 April, 2026

Exam-Style Questions

1. The bar chart shows the sources of energy for 1 hour of cycling.

a) What percentage of the energy came from carbohydrates?

b) Glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis both contribute to the formation of respiratory substrates during exercise.

What is meant by:

(i) Glycogenolysis?

(ii) Gluconeogenesis?

(Marks available: 3)

Answer

 

Answer outline and marking scheme for question: 1

Give yourself marks for mentioning any of the points below:

a) 57

(1 mark)

b) (i) Breakdown of glycogen to glucose

(ii) Breakdown of lipids/protein to respiratory substrates/sugars carbohydrate/glucose.

(2 marks)

(Marks available: 3)

 

2. a) What part do the following coenzymes play in respiration?

(i) NAD

(ii) Coenzyme A

b) NAD is made from the vitamin niacin. Niacin is required only in small quantities in the human diet. Explain why?

(Marks available: 5)

Answer

 

Answer outline and marking scheme for question: 2

Give yourself marks for mentioning any of the points below:

a) (i) Hydrogen acceptor carrier; role in oxidative phosphorylation/Krebs cycle/glycolysis/electron transfer.

(ii) Transfers acetyl compound/C2 to C4 acceptor; into mitochondrion/Krebs cycle.

(4 marks)

b) Reference to reuse/recycling of coenzymes.

(1 mark)

(Marks available: 5)

 

3. The diagram shows chemical pathways involved in respiration and photosynthesis.

a) Name the process that produces pyruvate from glucose.

b) Name the compounds labled X and Y.

c) (i) In which part of the chloroplast is glycerate 3-phosphate converted into ribulose biphosphate?

(ii) Describe the role of ribulose biphosphate in photosynthesis.

(Marks available: 5)

Answer

 

Answer outline and marking scheme for question: 3

Give yourself marks for mentioning any of the points below:

a) Glycolysis/oxidation

(1 mark)

b) Reduced NAD/NADH; ATP

(2 marks)

c) (i) Stroma

(ii) Combines with/accepts carbon dioxide

(2 marks)

(Marks available: 5)