12.1.1B6. Respiration and Gas Exchange
Respiration in Cells — Combined Science 0653 - Biology Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 7 parts Lesson 8 of 8 Unit quiz
Part 1 of 5What respiration is
Release of energy
- Release of energy Respiration is a chemical process in which nutrient molecules, mainly glucose, are broken down to release the energy stored in them.
- Energy is released, never made or produced.
Enzyme controlled
- Enzyme controlled Every step of respiration is catalysed by an enzyme.
Aerobic and anaerobic
- Aerobic and anaerobic Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and takes place mostly in the mitochondria.
- Anaerobic respiration happens without oxygen and releases much less energy from each glucose molecule.
- Respiration occurs in all living cells.
Part 2 of 5Uses of the energy in humans
Energy from respiration
Movement
- Movement Muscle contraction.
Building
- Building Protein synthesis, cell division and growth.
Transport
- Transport Active transport across cell membranes.
Communication
- Communication Generation of nerve impulses.
Temperature
- Temperature Maintaining a constant internal body temperature.
Part 3 of 5Practical: temperature and yeast respiration
1
Set up water baths at a range of temperatures, for example 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 °C.
2
Put the same volume of yeast suspension and glucose solution into each test tube and stand the tubes in their water baths until they reach the correct temperature.
3
Add the same volume of methylene blue to each tube and start the stopwatch.
4
Record the time taken for the blue colour to disappear.
5
Repeat at each temperature and calculate a mean time.
6
Plot a graph of temperature on the x-axis against time for colour change on the y-axis, or convert the times into a rate of respiration.
Part 4 of 5Variables in the practical
| Type | Variable | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Independent | Temperature of the water bath | This is what is changed on purpose |
| Dependent | Time for methylene blue to become colourless | A shorter time means a faster rate of respiration |
| Control | Volume and concentration of yeast, glucose and dye | More yeast or less dye would alter the time |
| Control | pH, which can be held steady with a buffer | pH affects enzyme activity |
Part 5 of 5Interpreting the results
1Below about 40 °C
- Below about 40 °C Particles have more kinetic energy, so enzymes and substrates collide more often and the rate rises.
- The colour change takes less time.
2Around the optimum
- Around the optimum The rate of respiration is at its highest and the dye clears fastest.
3Above about 40 °C
- Above about 40 °C Enzymes begin to denature as their active sites change shape, so enzyme-substrate complexes cannot form and the rate falls.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Respiration | The chemical reactions in cells that break down nutrient molecules to release energy. |
| Aerobic respiration | Respiration that uses oxygen. |
| Anaerobic respiration | Respiration without oxygen, releasing much less energy. |
| Mitochondria | Cell structures where most of the reactions of aerobic respiration occur. |
| Denature | Permanent change in the shape of an enzyme's active site, caused by high temperature or extreme pH. |
| Methylene blue | A dye that loses its blue colour as yeast respire, used as an indicator of respiration rate. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Confusing respiration with breathing — respiration is chemical and occurs in cells.
2
Writing that respiration 'makes' or 'produces' energy — energy is released from glucose.
3
Forgetting that a shorter time for the dye to clear means a faster rate, not a slower one.
4
Failing to state that enzymes control the reactions of respiration.
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