IB Biology HL C1.2 Cell respiration Questions

Practise IB Biology HL C1.2 with pathway diagrams and data questions covering glycolysis, link reaction, Krebs cycle, chemiosmosis, anaerobic respiration and ATP yield.

139 questions in this syllabus scope, with question parts counted together.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology HL
Level
HL

Exam analysis

HL · 2010–2025
Papers with this topic58 / 117in the analysed sample
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Tagged question parts87
Paper types5

Most tested objectives

  1. C1.2.12 (HL)—Krebs cycle11 papers
  2. C1.2.11 (HL)—Link reaction10 papers
  3. C1.2.5—Anaerobic vs. aerobic respiration in humans9 papers
  4. C1.2.10 (HL)—Anaerobic respiration in yeast8 papers
  5. C1.2.15 (HL)—Chemiosmosis8 papers

Common question formats

  • Calculation
  • Comparison
  • Data analysis
  • Diagram interpretation
  • Evaluation
  • Extended response
  • Graph interpretation
  • Structured response

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper 2 HL · TZ3Q8(b)[ 5 ]
November 2025Paper 1A HL · TZ3Q5, 8[ 2 ]
November 2025Paper 1A HL · TZ1Q6, 7[ 2 ]

117 papers analysed · Tagging incomplete

Exam points

  • Explain ATP energy transfer through hydrolysis and regeneration, linking ATP production to cellular work.
  • Define cellular respiration and relate oxygen, carbon dioxide and ATP across its stages.
  • Compare human aerobic and anaerobic respiration using lactate, oxygen debt and exercise data.
  • Interpret variables and design rate experiments affecting respiration.
  • Explain NAD/NADH and glycolysis ATP investment, payoff and reduced NAD.
  • Compare lactate formation in humans with yeast fermentation, explaining NAD regeneration and limited ATP.
  • Explain the link reaction, acetyl-CoA formation and mitochondrial location.
  • Trace Krebs-cycle location, reactions, carriers and carbon dioxide release.
  • Trace the ETC, proton pumping, chemiosmosis and ATP synthase in oxidative phosphorylation.
  • Explain oxygen as the terminal electron acceptor and account for water formation.
  • Compare lipids and carbohydrates as respiratory substrates.

Exam points

  • Describe ATP as a small, soluble nucleotide and the cell’s universal energy currency.
  • Explain how ATP links energy-yielding respiration to energy-requiring processes by releasing a small, usable amount of energy during hydrolysis.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 3]

All cells require a supply of energy and can transform the energy that they obtain in different ways.

Explain the properties of ATP that make it useful for distributing energy within cells.

Exam points

  • Explain how ATP supplies energy for active transport through membrane pumps.
  • Explain how ATP hydrolysis supplies energy for anabolic synthesis of macromolecules.
  • Relate ATP use to movement, including muscle contraction, chromosome movement, and cilia or flagella.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 5]

Monosaccharides can be used to make polysaccharides, and can also be combined with other types of carbon compound to form molecules such as nucleotides.

Outline, with examples, the wide range of uses of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cells.

Exam points

  • Explain how ATP hydrolysis to ADP and phosphate releases energy for coupled reactions.
  • Explain how respiration phosphorylates ADP to regenerate ATP, which is recycled rather than stored.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

What happens in both respiration and photosynthesis?

A

Triose phosphates are decarboxylated.

B

NADPH is produced.

C

ATP is produced.

D

Electrons pass through ATP synthase.

Exam points

  • Define cellular respiration as the enzyme-controlled release of energy from organic compounds.
  • Explain that carbon compounds are oxidized in steps so energy can be transferred to ATP.
  • Interpret oxygen-consumption and metabolite data as evidence of respiration and the organic compounds used.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

What occurs during the stages of respiration?

Stage of respiration

Decarboxylation

Reduced NAD produced

Glycolysis

No

No

Link reaction

Yes

No

Krebs cycle

Yes

Yes

Electron transport chain

No

Yes

Exam points

  • Distinguish human aerobic respiration using oxygen in mitochondria and producing CO₂, water and high ATP from anaerobic respiration in the cytoplasm producing lactate and low ATP.
  • Explain how glycolysis, pyruvate fate, lactate formation and oxygen debt support ATP supply during intense exercise.
  • Interpret exercise data for oxygen use, lactate, ventilation and ATP yield to compare aerobic and anaerobic contributions.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

What is a consequence of anaerobic cell respiration in muscles?

A

Large yield of readily available ATP and ethanol production

B

Small yield of readily available ATP and lactate accumulation

C

Large yield of ATP and production of carbon dioxide and lactic acid

D

Small yield of ATP that is not readily available and carbon dioxide production

Exam points

  • Explain how temperature, oxygen availability, substrate concentration, pH, organism size and metabolic demand affect respiration rate.
  • Explain how a respirometer measures oxygen uptake while soda lime absorbs carbon dioxide.
  • Use oxygen-uptake changes over time to compare respiration rates under different conditions.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows a simple respirometer used to measure the rate of respiration. Soda lime is used to absorb carbon dioxide.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

Which way will the drop of liquid move if the organisms are respiring aerobically?

A

The drop of liquid will not move as the volume of oxygen used in respiration equals the volume of carbon dioxide produced.

B

The drop of liquid will move left as oxygen is used up by the respiring organisms.

C

The drop of liquid will move right as carbon dioxide is produced by respiring organisms.

D

The drop of liquid will move right as carbon dioxide is produced and then left as oxygen is consumed.

Exam points

  • Explain how NAD accepts hydrogen during oxidation or dehydrogenation and is reduced to NADH.
  • Explain how reduced NAD carries electrons and protons to the electron transport chain.
  • Use NADH as a hydrogen or electron donor when explaining a reduction reaction in a metabolic pathway.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows some reactions occurring during respiration in the mitochondrion.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

Energy that is released by oxidation reactions in the mitochondrial matrix is carried to the cristae of the mitochondria. How is this energy carried?

A

As ATP

B

As glucose

C

In lysed water

D

As reduced NAD

Exam points

  • Define glycolysis as the cytoplasmic, linear breakdown of one glucose molecule into two pyruvate molecules.
  • Account for ATP investment and payoff in glycolysis, including the net gain of two ATP and formation of reduced NAD/NADH.
  • Identify phosphorylation and oxidation steps and interpret glycolysis diagrams or data using the correct intermediates and products.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The image shows a portion of a cell containing a mitochondrion.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

Where do glycolysis and electron transport occur?

Glycolysis

Electron transport

P

R

R

Q

R

R

S

Q

Exam points

  • Explain how pyruvate accepts hydrogen or electrons from reduced NAD and is reduced to lactate.
  • Explain how this reaction regenerates NAD, allowing glycolysis and ATP production to continue without oxygen.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

The diagram shows the chemical reaction that occurs during the last step of anaerobic respiration in human skeletal muscle cells.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

What is the purpose of this reaction?

A

To allow the release of energy from glucose breakdown to continue

B

To establish a concentration gradient of hydrogen ions for adenosine triphosphate (ATP) synthesis

C

To provide electrons for the electron transport chain

D

To reduce carbon compounds in the absence of oxygen

Exam points

  • Explain how yeast converts pyruvate to ethanol and carbon dioxide during alcoholic fermentation.
  • Explain that fermentation regenerates NAD, allowing glycolysis to continue without oxygen.
  • Relate carbon dioxide release during yeast fermentation to baking and brewing.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

What is a difference between aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration in yeast?

A

Anaerobic respiration requires enzymes, aerobic respiration does not.

B

Anaerobic respiration requires glucose, aerobic respiration does not.

C

Anaerobic respiration produces ethanol, aerobic respiration does not.

D

Anaerobic respiration does not produce oxygen, aerobic respiration does.

Exam points

  • Locate the link reaction in the mitochondrial matrix.
  • Explain pyruvate oxidative decarboxylation to acetyl-CoA with carbon dioxide release and NAD reduction.
  • Explain how coenzyme A accepts the acetyl group and links glycolysis to the Krebs cycle.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which equation is an example of decarboxylation?

A

Pyruvate → Acetyl CoA+CO2\mathrm{CoA}+\mathrm{CO}_{2}

B

CO2+H2O→H2CO3\mathrm{CO}_{2}+\mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O} \rightarrow \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{CO}_{3}

C

CH4+2O2→CO2+2H2O\mathrm{CH}_{4}+2 \mathrm{O}_{2} \rightarrow \mathrm{CO}_{2}+2 \mathrm{H}_{2} \mathrm{O}

D
Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL — Option D

Exam points

  • Explain that acetyl-CoA combines with oxaloacetate to form citrate at the start of the Krebs cycle.
  • Explain how the cycle regenerates oxaloacetate while releasing CO₂ and producing ATP, reduced NAD and reduced FAD.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which of the following statements describes part of the Krebs cycle?

A

Reduced NAD is converted back to NAD.

B

A 4-carbon citrate binds with acetyl-CoA to form a 6-carbon intermediate.

C

Two decarboxylation reactions occur.

D

One ATP molecule is used in one stage of the cycle.

Exam points

  • Explain how reduced NAD and FAD donate electrons to carriers in the inner mitochondrial membrane and are reoxidized as electrons pass along the chain.
  • Explain how electron-transfer energy builds a proton gradient that drives ATP synthesis by chemiosmosis.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 8]

Oxygen is needed to complete aerobic cell respiration.

Explain how chemical energy for use in the cell is generated by electron transport and chemiosmosis.

Exam points

  • Identify the inner mitochondrial membrane as the barrier across which protons are pumped.
  • Explain that electron-transfer energy moves protons from the matrix into the intermembrane space.
  • Relate proton accumulation to an electrochemical gradient that can drive ATP synthesis.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

An electron micrograph of a mitochondrion is shown.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

The distance between the inner and outer membranes, which are shown by the box, is always very small. What is the advantage of this small distance?

A

Enables a high concentration of electrons to build up quickly

B

Enables a high concentration of protons to build up quickly

C

Allows fast diffusion of glucose into the mitochondrion

D

Allows fast diffusion of reduced NAD out of the mitochondrion

Exam points

  • Explain how protons flow down their electrochemical gradient through ATP synthase.
  • Relate proton flow through ATP synthase to ADP phosphorylation and ATP production by oxidative phosphorylation.
  • Compare how chemiosmosis operates at mitochondrial cristae and thylakoid membranes.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

What applies to chemiosmosis?

A

It takes place in both cristae and thylakoid membranes.

B

It involves the movement of water across a semipermeable membrane.

C

It only takes place in the presence of sunlight and oxygen gas.

D

It uses ATP to pump hydrogen ions against the concentration gradient.

Exam points

  • Explain that oxygen is the terminal electron acceptor at the end of the mitochondrial electron transport chain.
  • Explain how oxygen combines with electrons and protons to form metabolic water.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 1]

Which part of aerobic respiration directly involves oxygen molecules?

A

Conversion of glucose to pyruvate

B

Accepting electrons from the electron transport chain

C

Oxidizing acetyl groups in the Krebs cycle

D

Production of NAD from reduced NAD

Exam points

  • Explain that lipids yield more ATP and metabolic water per gram because they are more reduced than carbohydrates.
  • Explain why carbohydrates are more easily hydrolysed and enter glycolysis quickly.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 2]

A triglyceride is shown.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology HL

Explain the reason that more energy is released from one gram of triglyceride than from one gram of glucose in respiration.