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Respiration: AQA A‑Level Biology questions

Every AQA A-Level Biology exam question on 3.5.2 Respiration, 2016–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,383 questions

  1. Q06.3

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 06.3: Ghost crabs live on sandy beaches. Ghost crabs can run for a long time before they get tired and have to stop. A scientist calculated the mean time ghost crabs

  2. Q06.4

    June 2025 · Paper 1

    3 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 1, question 06.4: Figure 6 shows the data points from individual crabs that were used to plot the curve in Figure 5. Figure 6 Figure 6 not reproduced here due to third-party copy

  3. Q01.1

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 01.1: In the following passage, the numbered spaces can be filled with biological terms. Glycolysis is the first stage of respiration. It occurs in the (1) of cells a

  4. Q01.2

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 01.2: The equation for the aerobic respiration of glucose is: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O Six carbon dioxide molecules are produced from each glucose molecule. Use y

  5. Q01.3

    June 2025 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2, question 01.3: An inhibitor of the electron transfer chain was added to aerobically respiring yeast cells. As aerobic respiration was inhibited, the following changes occurred

  6. Q01.3

    June 2025 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 3, question 01.3: Bedaquiline is a drug that inhibits ATP synthase in mycobacteria by stopping hydrogen ion (proton) movement. Explain how bedaquiline can kill these bacteria. [3

  7. Q02.1

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 02.1: Other than those stated, suggest two variables the student should have kept constant in this investigation. [1 mark] 1 2

  8. Q02.2

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 02.2: Describe how the student used the apparatus in Figure 1 to reset the drop of coloured liquid back to the right-hand end of the tubing. [2 marks]

  9. Q02.3

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 02.3: The student also set up a control experiment. Suggest a suitable control experiment and explain why it was necessary. [2 marks] Control experiment Explanation

  10. Q02.4

    June 2024 · Paper 3

    3 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 3, question 02.4: Figure 2 shows the student’s results at 25 °C The mass of the woodlice in the tube was 3.78 g Figure 2 Use Figure 1 (on page 4) and Figure 2 to calculate the me

  11. Q03.2

    June 2024 · AS Paper 2

    5 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 AS Paper 2, question 03.2: Mitochondrial respiratory capacity is a measure of maximum ATP production in a mitochondrion. Scientists investigated the effect of a resistance exercise traini

  12. Q02.1

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    1 mark3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 02.1: Other than those stated, suggest two variables the student needed to keep constant in her investigation. [1 mark] 1 2

  13. Q02.2

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 02.2: Use Figure 2 and Figure 3 to calculate the rate of carbon dioxide production in mm s–1 for yeast in glucose solution. Give your answer in standard form and to 2

  14. Q02.3

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 02.3: The student repeated the experiment using yeast in maltose solution. She found the rate of carbon dioxide production was slower than with yeast in glucose solut

  15. Q02.4

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 02.4: A second student used a different method to investigate the effect of different sugars on the rate of respiration in yeast. He set up a tube with yeast in gluco

  16. Q02.5

    June 2023 · Paper 3

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 3, question 02.5: Complete the boxes A to D in Figure 4 to show the link reaction. Figure 4 [2 marks]

  17. Q09.3

    June 2023 · AS Paper 1

    4 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 AS Paper 1, question 09.3: During exercise, there is a significant increase in the glucose uptake by muscle cells (lines 14 and 15). Give two reasons why glucose uptake by muscle cells in

  18. Q04.1

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    1 mark3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.1: Put a tick ( ) in the box next to the process that occurs in anaerobic respiration but does not occur in aerobic respiration. [1 mark] Phosphorylation of glucos

  19. Q04.2

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    3 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.2: During the 48 hours, the coloured liquid moved to the left. Explain why. [3 marks]

  20. Q04.3

    June 2022 · Paper 2

    2 marks3.5.2 Respiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2022 Paper 2, question 04.3: Apart from time, give two measurements the student would have to make to determine the rate of aerobic respiration of these seeds in cm3 hour –1 [2 marks] 1 2
All 49 questions on Respiration, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 1, Q06.3 (2 marks): Ghost crabs live on sandy beaches. Ghost crabs can run for a long time before they get tired and have to stop. A scientist calculated the mean time ghost crabs
  2. June 2025, Paper 1, Q06.4 (3 marks): Figure 6 shows the data points from individual crabs that were used to plot the curve in Figure 5. Figure 6 Figure 6 not reproduced here due to third-party copy
  3. June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.1 (2 marks): In the following passage, the numbered spaces can be filled with biological terms. Glycolysis is the first stage of respiration. It occurs in the (1) of cells a
  4. June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): The equation for the aerobic respiration of glucose is: C6H12O6 + 6 O2 6 CO2 + 6 H2O Six carbon dioxide molecules are produced from each glucose molecule. Use y
  5. June 2025, Paper 2, Q01.3 (3 marks): An inhibitor of the electron transfer chain was added to aerobically respiring yeast cells. As aerobic respiration was inhibited, the following changes occurred
  6. June 2025, Paper 3, Q01.3 (3 marks): Bedaquiline is a drug that inhibits ATP synthase in mycobacteria by stopping hydrogen ion (proton) movement. Explain how bedaquiline can kill these bacteria. [3
  7. June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.1 (1 mark): Other than those stated, suggest two variables the student should have kept constant in this investigation. [1 mark] 1 2
  8. June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.2 (2 marks): Describe how the student used the apparatus in Figure 1 to reset the drop of coloured liquid back to the right-hand end of the tubing. [2 marks]
  9. June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.3 (2 marks): The student also set up a control experiment. Suggest a suitable control experiment and explain why it was necessary. [2 marks] Control experiment Explanation
  10. June 2024, Paper 3, Q02.4 (3 marks): Figure 2 shows the student’s results at 25 °C The mass of the woodlice in the tube was 3.78 g Figure 2 Use Figure 1 (on page 4) and Figure 2 to calculate the me
  11. June 2024, AS Paper 2, Q03.2 (5 marks): Mitochondrial respiratory capacity is a measure of maximum ATP production in a mitochondrion. Scientists investigated the effect of a resistance exercise traini
  12. June 2023, Paper 3, Q02.1 (1 mark): Other than those stated, suggest two variables the student needed to keep constant in her investigation. [1 mark] 1 2
  13. June 2023, Paper 3, Q02.2 (2 marks): Use Figure 2 and Figure 3 to calculate the rate of carbon dioxide production in mm s–1 for yeast in glucose solution. Give your answer in standard form and to 2
  14. June 2023, Paper 3, Q02.3 (2 marks): The student repeated the experiment using yeast in maltose solution. She found the rate of carbon dioxide production was slower than with yeast in glucose solut
  15. June 2023, Paper 3, Q02.4 (2 marks): A second student used a different method to investigate the effect of different sugars on the rate of respiration in yeast. He set up a tube with yeast in gluco
  16. June 2023, Paper 3, Q02.5 (2 marks): Complete the boxes A to D in Figure 4 to show the link reaction. Figure 4 [2 marks]
  17. June 2023, AS Paper 1, Q09.3 (4 marks): During exercise, there is a significant increase in the glucose uptake by muscle cells (lines 14 and 15). Give two reasons why glucose uptake by muscle cells in
  18. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.1 (1 mark): Put a tick ( ) in the box next to the process that occurs in anaerobic respiration but does not occur in aerobic respiration. [1 mark] Phosphorylation of glucos
  19. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.2 (3 marks): During the 48 hours, the coloured liquid moved to the left. Explain why. [3 marks]
  20. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): Apart from time, give two measurements the student would have to make to determine the rate of aerobic respiration of these seeds in cm3 hour –1 [2 marks] 1 2
  21. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.4 (3 marks): The student used the same apparatus to determine the volume of carbon dioxide the seeds produced during 48 hours. Give the change the student would need to make
  22. June 2022, Paper 2, Q04.5 (1 mark): The student calculated that during the 48 hours, 6.2 × 10–4 cm3 of oxygen was absorbed by 40 g of seeds. Calculate the oxygen uptake in cm3 g–1 hour –1 [1 mark]
  23. November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.1 (4 marks): Describe the process of glycolysis. [4 marks]
  24. November 2021, Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Malonate inhibits a reaction in the Krebs cycle. Explain why malonate would decrease the uptake of oxygen in a respiring cell. [2 marks]
  25. November 2020, Paper 2, Q10.1 (3 marks): Black bears can hibernate for up to 7 months without food or water (lines 1−2). Suggest and explain how. [3 marks]
  26. November 2020, Paper 2, Q10.3 (2 marks): In many mammals, ‘uncoupling proteins’ help to maintain a constant body temperature during hibernation (lines 6−7). Suggest and explain how. [2 marks]
  27. November 2020, Paper 3, Q06.2 (2 marks): VT can be identified as the first point when there is an increase in pO2 breathed out, without an equivalent increase in pCO2 breathed out. Use Figure 3 to dete
  28. November 2020, Paper 3, Q06.4 (1 mark): At more than 80% of maximum muscle effort, ATP can only be made for a limited time. Use Figure 4 to suggest one reason why. Tick () the correct box. [1 mark]
  29. November 2020, Paper 3, Q06.5 (4 marks): GW1516 is a performance-enhancing drug. GW1516 activates AMPK and develops slow muscle fibres at rest. Use Figure 4 to justify why professional athletes are not
  30. June 2019, Paper 2, Q04.3 (2 marks): In muscles, pyruvate is converted to lactate during prolonged exercise. Explain why converting pyruvate to lactate allows the continued production of ATP by ana
  31. June 2019, Paper 3, Q04.2 (3 marks): A student concluded from Figure 4 and Figure 5 that training has a positive effect on VO2 max and CS activity. Evaluate the student’s conclusion. [3 marks]
  32. June 2019, Paper 3, Q04.4 (3 marks): ‘Having thymine at nucleotide position 16 519 in Group T causes an increase in ability to exercise for longer.’ Evaluate this conclusion. Use all the data in th
  33. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): Suggest one reason why it was important that the student left the apparatus for one hour after the yeast culture reached a constant temperature. [1 mark]
  34. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.2 (2 marks): During her investigation, the coloured liquid moved to the right. Explain why it moved to the right. [2 marks]
  35. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.3 (2 marks): The student found that the coloured liquid moved 1.5 cm in 24 hours. The diameter of the lumen (hole) of the capillary tubing was 1 mm. The volume of a capillar
  36. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.4 (1 mark): Explain why a log scale is used to record the number of cells. [1 mark]
  37. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.5 (1 mark): Many yeast cells die during the death phase. Suggest one reason why. [1 mark]
  38. June 2018, Paper 2, Q03.6 (2 marks): The following equation can be used to make predictions of the growth in the population of yeast cells under ideal laboratory conditions. Xt = X0 ert Xt = the po
  39. June 2017, Paper 2, Q01.2 (3 marks): AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is an enzyme that regulates a number of cellular processes. Exercise leads to activation of AMPK. Figure 1 shows one effect
  40. June 2017, Paper 2, Q03.1 (1 mark): Succinic acid dehydrogenase is an enzyme used in the Krebs cycle. Suggest one reason for the difference in the staining between the muscle fibres of the control
  41. June 2017, Paper 2, Q03.2 (3 marks): The scientists then compared the length of time that the control mice and the trained mice could carry out prolonged exercise. The trained mice were able to exe
  42. June 2017, AS Paper 1, Q10.3 (2 marks): Suggest why high doses of AZT lead to muscle wastage (lines 10–11). [2 marks] Copyright Information For confidentiality purposes, from the November 2015 examina
  43. Specimen, Paper 1, Q09.2 (1 mark): Name the process that produced the 14CO2 released from the trunk. [1 mark] 0 9 . 2
  44. Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.1 (3 marks): 1 2 3 3
  45. Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.2 (2 marks): Suggest and explain why the chosen temperature was 20 °C for this experiment. [2 marks] 0 1 . 2
  46. Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.3 (3 marks): [ ] 5
  47. Specimen, Paper 2, Q01.4 (2 marks): cm3 g–1 hour–1 Rate =
  48. Specimen, Paper 2, Q10.1 (3 marks): Read the following passage carefully. A large and growing number of disorders are now known to be due to types of mitochondrial disease (MD). MD often affects s
  49. Specimen, Paper 2, Q10.4 (3 marks): Read the following passage carefully. A large and growing number of disorders are now known to be due to types of mitochondrial disease (MD). MD often affects s

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