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Respiration: Edexcel GCSE Biology questions

Every Edexcel GCSE Biology exam question on Respiration (specification points 8.9–8.11), 2018–2025, with its mark scheme and examiner’s report.

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1,834 questions

  1. Q2(b)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 2(b): During a race, athletes respire aerobically and anaerobically. Figure 3 shows an athlete after a race. (Source: © voronaman/Shutterstock) Figure 3 Explain how a

  2. Q2(c)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 2(c)(i): State the reason why the soda lime is placed in the test tube. (1)

  3. Q2(c)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 2(c)(ii): The drop of liquid in Figure 4 is at 20 mm. The drop of coloured liquid moved at a mean rate of 2 mm per minute. Draw, on Figure 5, the new position of the bubb

  4. Q2(c)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 2(c)(iii): The investigation was repeated with two maggots. Explain how the movement of the drop of coloured liquid would be affected if the investigation was repeated usi

  5. Q2(c)(iv)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Higher, question 2(c)(iv): State one way this investigation can be improved to obtain more reliable results. (1)

  6. Q8(c)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Foundation, question 8(c): During a race, athletes respire aerobically and anaerobically. Figure 17 shows an athlete after a race. (Source: © voronaman/Shutterstock) Figure 17 Explain how

  7. Q8(d)(i)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Foundation, question 8(d)(i): State the reason why the soda lime is placed in the test tube. (1)

  8. Q8(d)(ii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Foundation, question 8(d)(ii): The drop of liquid in Figure 18 is at 20 mm. The drop of coloured liquid moved at a mean rate of 2 mm per minute. Draw, on Figure 19, the new position of the bu

  9. Q8(d)(iii)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Foundation

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Foundation, question 8(d)(iii): The investigation was repeated with two maggots. Explain how the movement of the drop of coloured liquid would be affected if the investigation was repeated usi

  10. Q8(d)(iv)

    June 2025 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2025 Paper 2 Foundation, question 8(d)(iv): State one way this investigation can be improved to obtain more reliable results. (1)

  11. Q6(a)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 6(a)(i): Describe how to set up a control for this investigation. (2)

  12. Q6(a)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 6(a)(ii): State how the scientist could improve this investigation to increase the rate of the reaction. (1)

  13. Q6(b)(i)

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 6(b)(i): The student thought one of the results was anomalous. Explain which of these results is anomalous. (2)

  14. Q6(b)(ii)

    June 2024 · Paper 2 Higher

    3 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2024 Paper 2 Higher, question 6(b)(ii): Explain why the height of the foam was greatest for the 25 % glucose concentration. (3)

  15. Q3(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 3(a): Why do cells respire? (1) A to produce nitrogen B to release oxygen C to produce glucose D to release energy

  16. Q3(b)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 3(b)(i): Explain why the breathing rate of the athlete increases when running. (2)

  17. Q3(b)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 3(b)(ii): When the athlete is running, their muscle cells use both aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. State two differences between aerobic respiration and an

  18. Q3(c)(i)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 3(c)(i): Explain why the air breathed out turns the BTB solution yellow. (2)

  19. Q3(c)(ii)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Higher

    2 marksPhotosynthesisRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Higher, question 3(c)(ii): A scientist placed pondweed into two sealed test tubes containing green BTB solution. Test tube A was kept in the dark. Test tube B was kept in the light. All o

  20. Q9(a)

    June 2023 · Paper 2 Foundation

    1 markRespiration
    The whole paper ↗
    June 2023 Paper 2 Foundation, question 9(a): Why do cells respire? (1) A to produce nitrogen B to release oxygen C to produce glucose D to release energy
All 57 questions on Respiration, as a list
  1. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(b) (2 marks): During a race, athletes respire aerobically and anaerobically. Figure 3 shows an athlete after a race. (Source: © voronaman/Shutterstock) Figure 3 Explain how a
  2. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(c)(i) (1 mark): State the reason why the soda lime is placed in the test tube. (1)
  3. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(c)(ii) (1 mark): The drop of liquid in Figure 4 is at 20 mm. The drop of coloured liquid moved at a mean rate of 2 mm per minute. Draw, on Figure 5, the new position of the bubb
  4. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(c)(iii) (2 marks): The investigation was repeated with two maggots. Explain how the movement of the drop of coloured liquid would be affected if the investigation was repeated usi
  5. June 2025, Paper 2 Higher, Q2(c)(iv) (1 mark): State one way this investigation can be improved to obtain more reliable results. (1)
  6. June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(c) (2 marks): During a race, athletes respire aerobically and anaerobically. Figure 17 shows an athlete after a race. (Source: © voronaman/Shutterstock) Figure 17 Explain how
  7. June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(d)(i) (1 mark): State the reason why the soda lime is placed in the test tube. (1)
  8. June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(d)(ii) (1 mark): The drop of liquid in Figure 18 is at 20 mm. The drop of coloured liquid moved at a mean rate of 2 mm per minute. Draw, on Figure 19, the new position of the bu
  9. June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(d)(iii) (2 marks): The investigation was repeated with two maggots. Explain how the movement of the drop of coloured liquid would be affected if the investigation was repeated usi
  10. June 2025, Paper 2 Foundation, Q8(d)(iv) (1 mark): State one way this investigation can be improved to obtain more reliable results. (1)
  11. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(i) (2 marks): Describe how to set up a control for this investigation. (2)
  12. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): State how the scientist could improve this investigation to increase the rate of the reaction. (1)
  13. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): The student thought one of the results was anomalous. Explain which of these results is anomalous. (2)
  14. June 2024, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why the height of the foam was greatest for the 25 % glucose concentration. (3)
  15. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a) (1 mark): Why do cells respire? (1) A to produce nitrogen B to release oxygen C to produce glucose D to release energy
  16. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the breathing rate of the athlete increases when running. (2)
  17. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): When the athlete is running, their muscle cells use both aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. State two differences between aerobic respiration and an
  18. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the air breathed out turns the BTB solution yellow. (2)
  19. June 2023, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(c)(ii) (2 marks): A scientist placed pondweed into two sealed test tubes containing green BTB solution. Test tube A was kept in the dark. Test tube B was kept in the light. All o
  20. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a) (1 mark): Why do cells respire? (1) A to produce nitrogen B to release oxygen C to produce glucose D to release energy
  21. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the breathing rate of the athlete increases when running. (2)
  22. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (2 marks): When the athlete is running, their muscle cells use both aerobic respiration and anaerobic respiration. State two differences between aerobic respiration and an
  23. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(c)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the air breathed out turns the BTB solution yellow. (2)
  24. June 2023, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(c)(ii) (6 marks): Devise a plan, using green BTB solution, to investigate the amount of carbon dioxide in the air athletes breathe out after they have been running at different s
  25. June 2022, Paper 2 Higher, Q8(c) (2 marks): After high intensity exercise, the pH of muscles can decrease from pH 7.0 to pH 6.3. Explain this change in pH. (2)
  26. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Use information from Figures 5 and 6 to calculate the mean rate of respiration of the maggots in mm per minute. (2) mm per minute
  27. November 2021, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (2 marks): Describe a control for this investigation. (2)
  28. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(a)(ii) (1 mark): Amoeba proteus uses oxygen for aerobic respiration. Complete the equation for aerobic respiration. (1) glucose + oxygen → + (+ energy is released)
  29. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(i) (1 mark): Which two changes allow the rate of respiration in the muscle to increase? (1) amount of glucose heart rate delivered to the muscles A increases increases B inc
  30. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Figure 11 shows breathing data for a human at rest and when running at 5 metres per second on a running machine. mean number mean volume of mean volume activity
  31. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(b)(iii) (4 marks): Devise an investigation to compare the mean number of breaths per minute for men, with the mean number of breaths per minute for women, when running at 5 metres
  32. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q6(c) (1 mark): Whilst running, the leg muscles of an athlete tightened up, causing cramp. Name the product of anaerobic respiration that can cause cramp. (1)
  33. November 2021, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b) (2 marks): Figure 19 shows equipment used to investigate the rate of respiration in maggots. centimetre 4 3 2 1 0 scale drop of coloured liquid maggots wire mesh to stop m
  34. November 2020, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(iii) (1 mark): The starch grains in the potatoes became smaller as the starch was converted into glucose. State why the potatoes need glucose. (1)
  35. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(c)(i) (1 mark): Which row of the table shows the type or types of respiration that use glucose? (1) aerobic respiration anaerobic respiration A yes yes B yes no C no yes D no n
  36. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q5(c)(ii) (3 marks): A scientist measured the rate of respiration in a person when sleeping and then running at different speeds. Figure 12 shows the results. activity speed in km p
  37. November 2020, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(iii) (1 mark): The starch grains in the potatoes became smaller as the starch was converted into glucose. State why the potatoes need glucose. (1)
  38. June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(i) (2 marks): State two ways this method could be improved to make the results for these three organisms more comparable. (2) 1 2
  39. June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe a suitable control for this investigation. (2)
  40. June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the result for the germinating peas is different from the result for the dried peas. (2)
  41. June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(b)(ii) (1 mark): How was the carbon dioxide produced in this investigation? (1) A by photosynthesis B when glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen C when glucose is bro
  42. June 2019, Paper 2 Higher, Q3(c) (2 marks): Explain why cellular respiration is essential for living organisms. (2)
  43. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(c)(i) (2 marks): Describe the relationship shown by this data. (2)
  44. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q4(c)(ii) (3 marks): Explain why some people’s leg muscles tired quickly and developed cramp when they were running. (3)
  45. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(i) (2 marks): State two ways this method could be improved to make the results for these three organisms more comparable. (2) 1 2
  46. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(a)(ii) (2 marks): Describe a suitable control for this investigation. (2)
  47. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(i) (2 marks): Explain why the result for the germinating peas is different from the result for the dried peas. (2)
  48. June 2019, Paper 2 Foundation, Q9(b)(ii) (1 mark): How was the carbon dioxide produced in this investigation? (1) A by photosynthesis B when glucose is broken down in the presence of oxygen C when glucose is bro
  49. June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(i) (2 marks): Describe the trend shown in Figure 4. (2)
  50. June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(ii) (1 mark): Which uses more oxygen when the running speed of the athlete changes from 4 to 6 km per hour? (1) A increasing aerobic respiration B increasing anaerobic respir
  51. June 2018, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why the athlete produces lactic acid when running at 14 km per hour. (2)
  52. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(a) (2 marks): Explain why the respirometers are placed in a water bath at 25 °C. (2)
  53. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b)(i) (2 marks): Complete the table for these results. (2)
  54. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b)(ii) (2 marks): Calculate the rate of oxygen consumption per second for the results in respirometer A. (2) ml/second
  55. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(b)(iii) (2 marks): Explain why respirometer A has the highest rate of oxygen consumption. (2)
  56. Specimen, Paper 2 Higher, Q6(c) (1 mark): Some respirometers read the movement of a bubble along capillary tubing. Carbon dioxide can affect the measuring of oxygen used in this type of respirometer. St
  57. Specimen, Paper 2 Foundation, Q2(b)(iii) (1 mark): Which is the correct equation for aerobic respiration? (1) A oxygen + carbon dioxide  glucose + lactic acid B carbon dioxide + water  oxygen + lactic acid C g

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