AP Biology : Cellular Biology

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Biology

varsity tutors app store varsity tutors android store

Example Questions

Example Question #55 : Cell Functions

Which of the following molecules is produced during the Krebs cycle?

I. FADH2

II. ATP

III. Acetyl-CoA

Possible Answers:

II and III

II only

I only

I and II

Correct answer:

I and II

Explanation:

A turn of the Krebs cycle produces one ATP, three NADH, one FADH2, and two CO2.

Acetyl-CoA is not produced during Krebs cycle. It is produced from the decarboxylation of a pyruvate molecule, which occurs before the Krebs cycle can begin. Each turn of Krebs cycle is initiated by one acetyl-CoA molecule. Remember that there are two acetyl-CoA produced from the two pyruvate molecules (end product of glycolysis). For every glucose molecule, the Krebs cycle produces two cycles: two ATP, six NADH, two FADH2, and four CO2.

Example Question #1 : Understanding The Citric Acid Cycle

The ratio of carbons in one acetyl-CoA molecule to one glucose molecule is __________.

Possible Answers:

Correct answer:

Explanation:

Acetyl-CoA is the molecule that enters as the primary reactant in the Krebs cycle.

During glycolysis glucose is the primary reactant. Glucose contains six carbons. The process of glycolysis converts one molecule of glucose into two molecules of pyruvate with three carbons each. Pyruvate then undergoes a decarboxylation reaction before entering the Krebs cycle. Each pyruvate loses one carbon to create carbon dioxide during this reaction, with the end product of acetyl-CoA. Acetyl-CoA is, thus, a two-carbon chain.

The ratio of carbon in acetyl-CoA to carbon in glucose is two-to-six, or 1:3.

Example Question #4 : Understanding The Citric Acid Cycle

Under anaerobic conditions, a eukaryotic cell will not undergo the Krebs cycle. Why is this?

Possible Answers:

Lack of NAD+ and FADH+

None of the other answers

Lack of NADH and FADH2

The end product for the Krebs cycle is oxygen

The reactant for the Krebs cycle is oxygen

Correct answer:

Lack of NAD+ and FADH+

Explanation:

The role of the Krebs cycle is to produce the intermediates NADH and FADH2, which will serve as electron donors in the electron transport chain (ETC). At the same time, the ETC creates NAD+ and FADH+ as byproducts. The products can then be turned around to continue fueling the Krebs cycle. Since the ETC will not function in an anaerobic environment, neither will the Krebs cycle. The reactants will not be replenished, and the cycle will be unable to continue.

Oxygen is not directly involved as a reactant or product of the Krebs cycle. Oxygen is only directly used as an electron receptor in the electron transport chain.

Example Question #5 : Understanding The Citric Acid Cycle

Which of the following is not a product formed during the citric acid cycle?

Possible Answers:

NAD+

FADH2

H+

CO2

GTP

Correct answer:

NAD+

Explanation:

NAD+ and FADH are used as reactants in the citric acid cycle to make NADH and FADH2, which are used in the electron transport chain to convert additional ADP into ATP. All of the other selections are products in the citric acid cyclce. Protons (H+) are a byproduct when NAD+ is converted to NADH. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is produced during carbohydrate conversions in the cycle. One GTP molecule is produced by the cycle, and contains almost equivalent energy to ATP.

Example Question #3 : Understanding The Citric Acid Cycle

Which of the following is an example of an anabolic reaction?

Possible Answers:

Glucose-6-phosphate being isomerized to form fructose-6-phosphate

Citrate being converted to ketoglutarate

Acetyl CoA combining with oxaloacetate to form citrate

Glucose being converted to two pyruvate molecules

Correct answer:

Acetyl CoA combining with oxaloacetate to form citrate

Explanation:

An anabolic reaction is one in which larger molecules are made from combining smaller molecules. Even without knowing the exact mechanics of the reactions given in the answer choices, we know that we are looking for a reaction in which multiple molecules combine to form a single molecule.

Out of the options, there is only one time where a larger molecule is made by the combination of two smaller ones: when acetyl CoA (2 carbons) and oxaloacetate (4 carbons) come together in order to create citrate (6 carbons).

The generation of pyruvate from glucose results in two smaller molecules from one larger molecule; this is a catalysis reaction. The conversion of glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate is an isomerization reaction. The transition from citrate to ketoglutarate is processed through an intermediate, but is ultimately a catalysis reaction.

Example Question #53 : Cellular Respiration

Which of the following processes occurs without oxygen?

Possible Answers:

Fermentation

Citric acid cycle

Electron transport chain

Krebs cycle 

Correct answer:

Fermentation

Explanation:

Fermentation is a catabolic process which does not require oxygen. In contrast, Krebs cycle (citric acid cycle) and oxidative phosphorylation (chemiosmosis and electron transport) do use oxygen. Aerobic respiration is much more efficient than anaerobic respiration in producing ATP.  

Example Question #61 : Cell Functions

Where does the Krebs cycle takes place?

Possible Answers:

Cytosol

Stroma

Nucleus

Mitochondrial matrix

Correct answer:

Mitochondrial matrix

Explanation:

The Krebs cycle takes place within the mitochondrial matrix of mitochondria. Glycolysis occurs in the cell's cytosol. The stroma is part of plant chloroplasts, thus it is not the site of the Krebs cycle.

Example Question #11 : Understanding The Citric Acid Cycle

Where does the citric acid (Krebs) cycle occur in human cells?

Possible Answers:

Mitochondrial matrix

Ribosomes

Inner mitochondrial membrane

Nucleus

Cytoplasm

Correct answer:

Mitochondrial matrix

Explanation:

The citric acid (Krebs) cycle takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. The Krebs cycle involves using acetyl-CoA as a substrate to produce high energy electron carriers  and  to later participate in electron transport, ultimately yielding . Glycolysis is the process by which glucose is split into two molecules of pyruvate, and occurs in the cytoplasm. The electron transport chain performs its function in the inner mitochondrial membrane. The nucleus and ribosomes are not part of the citric acid cycle.

Example Question #61 : Cell Functions

How many  molecules are produced from the citric acid cycle per acetyl-CoA?  

Possible Answers:

2

1

3

5

4

Correct answer:

2

Explanation:

Two  molecules are produced per one "turn" around the cycle. Note that each glucose results in two pyruvate, which convert to two acetyl-CoA and power the citric acid cycle for two turns.

Example Question #62 : Cell Functions

Glucose is a six-carbon molecule that is needed to initiate glycolysis. The products of glycolysis are two three-carbon molecules known as __________.

Possible Answers:

glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate

ATP

pyruvate

acetyl-CoA

NADH

Correct answer:

pyruvate

Explanation:

Glycolysis, is a series of reactions in the first part of cellular respiration. It involves the breaking down of larger molecules such as glucose into smaller ones such as pyruvate. Glucose is a six-carbon molecule that gets broken down into two three-carbon pyruvate molecules during glycolysis. Afterwards, pyruvate is converted to acetyl-CoA, which enters the Krebs cycle in the mitochondria.

Learning Tools by Varsity Tutors