IB Biology SL C1.2 Cell respiration Questions

Practise IB Biology SL C1.2 by comparing aerobic and anaerobic respiration, ATP use, oxygen uptake, carbon dioxide evidence and respirometer data.

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

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology SL
Level
SL

Exam analysis

SL · 2010–2025
Papers with this topic54 / 141in the analysed sample
Latest appearanceNovember 2025
Tagged question parts84
Paper types5

Most tested objectives

  1. C1.2.5—Anaerobic vs. aerobic respiration in humans25 papers
  2. C1.2.6—Variables affecting rate19 papers
  3. C1.2.4—Cell respiration system10 papers
  4. C1.2.2—Life processes using ATP6 papers
  5. C1.2.1—ATP distributes energy2 papers

Common question formats

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

Recent exam appearances

November 2025Paper 2 SL · TZ1Q4(a), 4(b)[ 5 ]
November 2025Paper 1B SL · TZ3Q3(a), 3(b), 3(c), 3(d), 3(e)[ 7 ]
November 2025Paper 1A SL · TZ3Q4[ 1 ]

141 papers analysed · Tagging incomplete

Exam points

  • explain ATP energy transfer, hydrolysis and regeneration
  • relate ATP hydrolysis to active transport, movement and cellular work
  • explain ATP synthesis from ADP and inorganic phosphate in respiration
  • define cellular respiration and relate oxygen, carbon dioxide and ATP across its stages
  • compare human aerobic and anaerobic respiration by site, products and ATP supply
  • interpret variables and rate experiments affecting respiration

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]

Scientists used MRI to calculate the speed of transmission of nerve impulses along axons of brain neurons.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

The transmission of nerve impulses along axons relies on a supply of energy.

Explain how ATP is adapted to perform this function.

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: 2]

The diagram shows the life cycle of a jellyfish. At one stage in the cycle, polyps attach to rocks. The photograph shows adult free-swimming Aurelia jellyfish.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL
Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

Waters in the north-east Atlantic Ocean and north-west Pacific Ocean have a similar annual temperature range of 9−13∘C9-13^{\circ} \mathrm{C}. The mean respiration rate of polyps from two jellyfish species (Aurelia aurita and Aurelia limbata), collected from the two regions, were measured at different temperatures in the laboratory.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL
Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

Jellyfish have a network of neurons that can transmit impulses in the form of action potentials. Outline how adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from respiration is used to generate the resting potential in neurons.

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: 3]

The equation shows a reversible reaction that happens in all living cells.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

Outline how ATP is produced in cells.

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: 5]

Eukaryotes are classified into kingdoms, one of which is the animal kingdom.

Explain how animal cells produce the ATP that they need.

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 are the waste products of aerobic and anaerobic respiration in humans?

Aerobic respiration

Anaerobic respiration

carbon dioxide only

lactate and carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide and water

lactate and carbon dioxide

carbon dioxide and water

lactate only

carbon dioxide only

lactate only

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 the arrangement of the apparatus used to carry out an experiment with germinating seeds. The levels of coloured water in the glass tubes show the results at the end of the experiment. Initially, the levels of coloured water in the glass tubes were equal.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

What does the experiment show?

A

Potassium hydroxide has absorbed the oxygen produced by photosynthesis.

B

Anaerobic respiration takes place during seed germination.

C

Oxygen has been absorbed by the seeds in aerobic respiration.

D

Heat is produced by germinating seeds during respiration.

Question 1

[Maximum number: 7]

The diagram shows the life cycle of a jellyfish. At one stage in the cycle, polyps attach to rocks. The photograph shows adult free-swimming Aurelia jellyfish.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL
Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

Waters in the north-east Atlantic Ocean and north-west Pacific Ocean have a similar annual temperature range of 9−13∘C9-13^{\circ} \mathrm{C}. The mean respiration rate of polyps from two jellyfish species (Aurelia aurita and Aurelia limbata), collected from the two regions, were measured at different temperatures in the laboratory.

Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL
Figure for Question 1 — IB Biology SL

Question (a)

(a)

State the instrument that was used to enable calculation of respiration rate.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Suggest an alternative measurement that could be taken to calculate the respiration rate.

[ 1 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Calculate the difference between the temperature at which the maximum respiration rate occurs in the two species.

[ 1 ]

Question (d)

(d)

A jellyfish bloom is a rapid increase in jellyfish population size. Discuss, using only the data, which species is more likely to form a bloom if the ocean temperature rises 5∘C5^{\circ} \mathrm{C} above its usual range due to global warming.

[ 2 ]

Question (e)

(e)

Jellyfish have a network of neurons that can transmit impulses in the form of action potentials. Outline how adenosine triphosphate (ATP) from respiration is used to generate the resting potential in neurons.

[ 2 ]

Question 2

[Maximum number: 5]

The equation shows a reversible reaction that happens in all living cells.

Figure for Question 2 — IB Biology SL

Question (a)

(a)

State two processes in cells that are supplied with energy by converting ATP to ADP.

[ 2 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Outline how ATP is produced in cells.

[ 3 ]
All question bank results loaded