AP Biology : Cellular Respiration

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

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Example Questions

Example Question #121 : Cellular Respiration

Which process occurs in both cellular respiration and photosynthesis?

Possible Answers:

chemiosmosis

lactic acid fermentation

Oxidation of Glucose

glycolysis

Calvin Cycle

Correct answer:

chemiosmosis

Explanation:

In both cellular respiration and photosynthesis, chemiosmosis occurs. Chemiosmosis is the process in which the creation of a proton gradient leads to the transport of proton down its concentration gradient to produce ATP. This occurs in the electron transport chain in both mitochondrias and chloroplast. In the photosynthesis it occurs when the electron is transported from photosystem II to photosystem I. 

Example Question #121 : Cellular Respiration

During pyruvate decarboxylation reaction, pyruvate is converted to _______________ compound, through a reaction called ______________ .

Possible Answers:

acetyl CoA; reductive decarboxylation

acetyl CoA; oxidative decarboxylation

NADH; oxidative decarboxylation

ATP; decomposition

Correct answer:

acetyl CoA; oxidative decarboxylation

Explanation:

Pyruvate decarboxylation is an oxidative decarboxylation reaction, or an oxidation reaction where a carboxylate group is removed. This reaction converts pyruvate which was produced through glycolysis to acetyl CoA to be used in the Citric Acid Cycle.

Example Question #122 : Cellular Respiration

Which enzyme complex catalyzes the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction?

Possible Answers:

pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

pyruvate reductase

pyruvate oxidase

acetyl dehydrogenase

Correct answer:

pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Explanation:

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex is an enzyme complex that consists of 3 enzymes, which work together to catalyze the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction, where pyruvate is converted to acetyl CoA.

Example Question #3 : Understand Pyruvate Decarboxylation

Where does the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction occur?

Possible Answers:

Cytosol

Outer mitochondrial membrane

Mitochondrial matrix

Cristae

Correct answer:

Mitochondrial matrix

Explanation:

Pyruvate decarboxylation occurs in the mitochondrial matrix. The acetyl CoA produced from the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction will undergo the Citric Acid cycle also in the mitochondrial matrix.

Example Question #4 : Understand Pyruvate Decarboxylation

For each glucose molecule that undergoes glycolysis, how many acetyl CoA molecules are produced at the end of pyruvate decarboxylation?

Possible Answers:

2

1

4

32

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

During glycolysis, for each molecule of glucose, two molecules of pyruvate are produced ( glucose+ NAD+ + 2 ADP + 2Pi-> 2 pyruvate+ 2 ATP + 2NADH+. These 2 molecules of pyruvate then undergo the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction: 2(pyruvate+ CoA-SH+ NAD+ -> NADH+ CO2+ acetyl CoA).

Example Question #5 : Understand Pyruvate Decarboxylation

During the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction, acetyl CoA is produced through which type of bond linking an acetyl group to coenzyme A?

Possible Answers:

acetylase bond

hydrogen bond

thioester bond

ionic bond

Correct answer:

thioester bond

Explanation:

During the pyruvate decarboxylation reaction , a thioester bond links the acetyl group of pyruvate with coenzyme A to produce acetyl CoA.

Example Question #6 : Understand Pyruvate Decarboxylation

Which is not a product of pyruvate decarboxylation reaction?

Possible Answers:

acetyl 

Correct answer:

Explanation:

The pyruvate decarboxylation reaction is pyruvate+ CoA-SH+ NAD+ -> NADH+ CO2+ acetyl CoA.

Example Question #1 : Understand Aerobic Respiration

Oxygen is necessary for aerobic respiration, because __________.

Possible Answers:

it is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain

it is necessary in order for ATP synthase to work properly

it establishes the proton gradient

it donates its electrons to the electron transport chain

Correct answer:

it is the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain

Explanation:

Oxygen is the final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration. It becomes water upon being reduced by the accepted electrons, which explains why water is one of the products of respiration. Without the presence of oxygen, electrons would remain trapped and bound in the final step of the electron transport chain, preventing further reaction.

NADH and FADH2 are necessary to donate electrons to the electron transport chain.

Example Question #2 : Understand Aerobic Respiration

Which of the following chemical equations represents the net chemical reaction of aerobic cellular respiration?

Possible Answers:

None of these

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Aerobic cellular respiration is the process of breaking down glucose  to form intermittent electron electron carriers, which eventually donate their electrons to the final electron acceptor, oxygen, at the end of the electron transport chain. This process produces usable energy in the form of ATP, as well as waste produced of carbon dioxide and water.

Example Question #123 : Cellular Respiration

Eukaryotes are capable of producing ATP with or without oxygen. In comparison, prokaryotes __________.

Possible Answers:

only produce ATP when oxygen is present

are also capable of producing ATP with and without oxygen

do not produce ATP

None of these; it depends on the type of prokaryote.

only produce ATP when oxygen is not present

Correct answer:

None of these; it depends on the type of prokaryote.

Explanation:

One way to divide prokaryotes is into aerobes and anaerobes. Aerobes are organisms that can survive and grow in the presence of oxygen while anaerobes did not require oxygen for survival and growth. All aerobes can produce ATP with or without oxygen (though they may need oxygen for survival. However some anaerobes are harmed by the presence of oxygen (obligate anaerobes). These anaerobes can produce ATP through glycolysis or anaerobic respiration, where another molecule besides oxygen is used as the final electron acceptor for the electron transport chain.

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