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IGCSE Biology: Respiration — Practice Questions & Answers
Understand aerobic and anaerobic respiration, their word and balanced equations, and why cells need a constant release of energy.
819 practice questions available for this topic — here are 10 with full answers and explanations.
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Practice questions with answers
1
Multiple choice · Easy
What is respiration?
The chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules to release energy
The taking in of oxygen and removal of carbon dioxide at the lungs
The build-up of large molecules from smaller ones using light energy
The movement of gases into and out of the body
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Why Respiration is the chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules to release energy.
2
Multiple choice · Easy
Which gas is used up during aerobic respiration?
Oxygen
Carbon dioxide
Nitrogen
Hydrogen
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Why Aerobic respiration uses oxygen to release energy from glucose.
3
Multiple choice · Easy
Which substance is the main energy source broken down in respiration?
Glucose
Water
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
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Why Glucose is the main respiratory substrate broken down to release energy.
4
Multiple choice · Easy
Which two products are formed during aerobic respiration?
Carbon dioxide and water
Oxygen and glucose
Lactic acid and water
Ethanol and oxygen
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Why Aerobic respiration produces carbon dioxide and water along with energy.
5
Multiple choice · Easy
Anaerobic respiration is best described as the release of energy from food substances...
in the absence of oxygen
using a large amount of oxygen
only in plant cells
using light energy
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Why Anaerobic respiration releases energy from glucose in the absence of oxygen.
6
Multiple choice · Easy
In human muscles, anaerobic respiration of glucose produces...
Lactic acid
Ethanol and carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide and water
Glucose and oxygen
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Why Anaerobic respiration in human muscle converts glucose to lactic acid.
7
Multiple choice · Easy
Anaerobic respiration in yeast produces alcohol (ethanol) and which gas?
Carbon dioxide
Oxygen
Hydrogen
Nitrogen
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Why Yeast carries out anaerobic respiration (fermentation) producing ethanol and carbon dioxide.
8
Multiple choice · Easy
Which process releases the most energy per glucose molecule?
Aerobic respiration
Anaerobic respiration in muscle
Anaerobic respiration in yeast
Diffusion
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Why Aerobic respiration releases much more energy per glucose molecule than anaerobic respiration.
9
Multiple choice · Medium
Which of the following is NOT a use of the energy released by respiration?
The synthesis of chlorophyll from sunlight
Muscle contraction
Active transport
Maintenance of a constant body temperature
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Why Respiration releases energy; making chlorophyll is not a recognised use of respiratory energy in the syllabus.
10
Multiple choice · Medium
Which word equation correctly represents aerobic respiration?
glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water
carbon dioxide + water -> glucose + oxygen
glucose -> lactic acid
glucose -> alcohol + carbon dioxide + oxygen
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Why Aerobic respiration: glucose + oxygen -> carbon dioxide + water.
Key terms in Respiration
Respiration: The chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules to release energy for metabolism. It happens in all living cells, all of the time.
Metabolism: The sum of all the chemical reactions taking place inside the cells of an organism.
Cellular respiration: Another name for respiration, emphasising that it is a chemical process occurring inside cells rather than the physical act of breathing.
Respiration vs breathing: Respiration is a chemical reaction in cells that releases energy; breathing (ventilation) is the physical movement of air in and out of the lungs. They are not the same thing.
Nutrient molecules: Energy-rich food molecules, mainly glucose, that are broken down during respiration to release energy.
Glucose: A simple sugar (C6H12O6) that is the main respiratory substrate broken down in respiration to release energy.
Respiratory substrate: A nutrient molecule, usually glucose, that is broken down in respiration to release energy.
Energy release: The freeing of chemical energy stored in nutrient molecules during respiration so that cells can use it for life processes.
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