A-Level Biology Specification

OCR A H420

Section 5.2.2: Respiration

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#5.2.2a

the need for cellular respiration

To include examples of why plants, animals and microorganisms need to respire (suitable examples could include active transport and an outline of named metabolic reactions).

#5.2.2b

the structure of the mitochondrion

The components of a mitochondrion including inner and outer mitochondrial membranes, cristae, matrix and mitochondrial DNA.

#5.2.2c

the process and site of glycolysis

To include the phosphorylation of glucose to hexose bisphosphate, the splitting of hexose bisphosphate into two triose phosphate molecules and further oxidation to pyruvate AND the production of a small yield of ATP and reduced NAD.

#5.2.2d

the link reaction and its site in the cell

To include the formation of Acetyl CoA by the decarboxylation of pyruvate and the reduction of NAD to NADH.

#5.2.2e

the process and site of the Krebs cycle

To include the formation of citrate from the acetyl group of acetyl CoA and oxaloacetate and the reconversion of citrate to oxaloacetate (names of intermediate compounds are not required) AND the importance of decarboxylation, dehydrogenation, the reduction of NAD and FAD, and substrate level phosphorylation.

#5.2.2f

the importance of coenzymes in cellular respiration

With reference to NAD, FAD and coenzyme A.

#5.2.2g

the process and site of oxidative phosphorylation

To include the roles of electron carriers, oxygen and the mitochondrial cristae.

#5.2.2h

the chemiosmotic theory

To include the electron transport chain, proton gradients and ATP synthase in oxidative phosphorylation and photophosphorylation.

#5.2.2i

(i) the process of anaerobic respiration in eukaryotes

(ii) practical investigations into respiration rates in yeast, under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

To include anaerobic respiration in mammals and yeast and the benefits of being able to respire anaerobically AND why anaerobic respiration produces a much lower yield of ATP than aerobic respiration.
PAG4, PAG10, PAG11

#5.2.2j

the difference in relative energy values of carbohydrates, lipids and proteins as respiratory substrates

#5.2.2k

the use and interpretation of the respiratory quotient (RQ)

To include calculating the respiratory quotient (RQ) using the formula:

\(RQ = \dfrac{CO_2~produced}{O_2~consumed}\)

#5.2.2l

practical investigations into the effect of factors such as temperature, substrate concentration and different respiratory substrates on the rate of respiration

For example the use of respirometers.
PAG4, PAG10, PAG11