Unit two Biology

Chapter 2
Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis By the end of this chapter you should be able to: a outline the stepwise breakdown of glucose in cellular respiration;

f

explain the significance of the Krebs cycle in
ATP formation;

b

explain the sequence of steps in glycolysis;

g

c

describe the structure of a mitochondrion, relating its structure to its function;

explain the process of oxidative phosphorylation with reference to the electron transport chain;

d

state the fate of pyruvate in the cytosol when oxygen is available;

h

investigate the rate of oxygen uptake during respiration using a simple respirometer;

e

outline the Krebs cycle;

h

compare the fate of pyruvate in the absence of oxygen in animals and yeast.

All living cells, and therefore all living organisms, need energy in order to survive. Energy is required for many different purposes. Every living cell, for example, must be able to move substances across its membranes against their concentration gradients, by active transport. Cells need to use energy to drive many of their metabolic reactions, such as building protein molecules from amino acids, or making copies of DNA molecules. Energy is used to move chromosomes around during mitosis and meiosis. Most animals also have specialised muscle cells, which use energy to make themselves contract and so produce movement.
This is described in detail in Chapter 00).
Cells obtain energy by metabolic pathways known as respiration. Respiration releases chemical potential energy from glucose and other energycontaining organic molecules.

ATP
ATP stands for adenosine triphosphate. Every living cell uses ATP as its immediate source of energy. When energy is released from glucose or other molecules during respiration, it is used to make ATP.

Figure 2.1 shows the structure of an ATP molecule. ATP is a phosphorylated nucleotide. It is similar in structure to the nucleotides that make up
RNA and DNA.

three phosphate groups adenine

Figure 2.1

ribose

The structure of ATP.

ATP molecules contain energy. When one phosphate group is removed from each molecule in one mole of ATP, 30.5 kJ of energy is released
(Figure 2.2). This is a hydrolysis reaction, and it is catalysed by enzymes called ATPases. Most cells contain many different types of ATPases.
The products of the reaction are ADP (adenosine diphosphate) and a phosphate group (Pi).
ATP + H2O

ADP + Pi 30.5 kJ released
1

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis
More energy can be obtained if a second phosphate group is removed. AMP stands for adenosine monophosphate.
ADP + H2O

AMP + Pi 30.5 kJ released

The each-way arrows in these equations mean that the reaction can go either way. ATPases may catalyse the synthesis of ATP, or its breakdown.
ATP is used for almost every energy-demanding activity in the body. The amount of energy contained in one ATP molecule is often a suitable quantity to use for a particular purpose. One glucose molecule would contain too much, so a lot would be wasted if all the energy in a glucose molecule was released to make a particular event happen. ATP can provide energy in small packages. Also, the energy in ATP can be released very quickly and easily, at exactly the right time and in exactly the right place in a cell, just when and where it is needed. ATP is often known as the
‘energy currency’ of a cell. Each cell has to make its own ATP – it cannot be transported from one cell to another. However, within a cell ATP can be likened to money – a kind of energy currency – that can be used to provide energy for a wide range of processes.

ATP

+

H2O

energy released ADP

Pi

Figure 2.2 Energy is released when ATP is hydrolysed. 2

SAQ
1 Outline why energy is needed for each of these processes. a the transport of sucrose in a plant b the transmission of an action potential along a nerve axon c the selective reabsorption of glucose from a kidney nephron.
2 a What are the similarities between an ATP molecule and a nucleotide in DNA? b What are the differences between them?

Glycolysis
Glycolysis is the first group of reactions that takes place in respiration. It means ‘breaking glucose apart’. Glycolysis is a metabolic pathway that takes place in the cytoplasm of the cell. Glucose is broken down in a series of steps, each catalysed by an enzyme. In the process, a small proportion of the energy in each glucose molecule is released, and used to make a small amount of ATP. Figure 2.3 shows the main steps in glycolysis.
The first step in glycolysis involves adding a phosphate group to a glucose molecule. This produces glucose-6-phosphate. The processs is called phosphorylation. It raises the energy level of the compound, making it able to participate in the steps that follow. The phosphate group comes from an ATP molecule, which is converted to ADP in the process.
Next, the atoms in the glucose-6-phosphate are reorganised to produce fructose-6-phosphate. No atoms are added or removed. Glucose-6-phosphate and fructose-6-phosphate are therefore isomers, and the process of changing one to the other is called isomerisation. Once again, this is necessary to make the next step in the pathway possible.
The next step is another phosphorylation, this time adding a phosphate group to the fructose6-phosphate to form fructose bisphosphate. This undergoes a catabolic reaction by being split
(lysis) into two molecules of three-carbon sugars, triose phosphate. The two are actually slightly different from each other – they are the isomers dihydroxyacetone phosphate and glyceraldehyde-3phosphate.

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

C
C

O

C

C

C

ATP

C

glucose
(hexose)

phosphorylation of glucose

ADP

P
C
C

O

C

C glucose-6-

C

C

phosphate

isomerisation
P
C
C

O

C
C

C

ATP

C

fructose-6phosphate

phosphorylation of fructose-6-P
P
C
C

ADP
P
C
C

O
C

fructose bisphosphate C

lysis
C

P
C

C

C

2×

NAD

2×

Pi

ADP

2 × triose phosphate oxidation of triose-P

2 × reduced
NAD

phosphorylation of triose-P P
C

2×

P
C

C

P
C

C

P
C

P
C

C

phosphorylation of
ADP

C

2×

P
C

C

C

ATP

P
C

C

Substance X loses hydrogen and is oxidised. isomerisation
C

2×

ADP

substance X

P
C

C

C

C

C

H

ATP

2 × pyruvate
C

The main steps of glycolysis.

C

NAD gains hydrogen and is reduced. oxidised NAD

C

2×

C

Figure 2.3

P
C

phosphorylation of ADP

C

The triose phosphates are then oxidised to pyruvate, by having hydrogen removed from them.
This oxidation is catalysed by a dehydrogenase enzyme. The enzyme can only work if there is another molecule present that can take up the hydrogens that it removes. This molecule is called NAD, which stands for nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. NAD is a coenzyme – a substance that is needed to help an enzyme to catalyse its reactions. The addition of hydrogen to a substance is called reduction, so NAD becomes reduced NAD (Figure 2.4). This is sometimes written as NADH.
If you look at Figure 2.3, you will see that something else happens when triose phosphate is oxidised to pyruvate. Two ADP molecules are converted to ATP for each triose phosphate. This uses some of the energy that was in the original glucose molecule. Glycolysis transfers some of the energy from within the glucose molecule to energy in ATP molecules. This is an example of substrate level phosphorylation, which distinguishes it from the way ATP is synthesised in oxidative phosphorylation (see page 000).

reduced
NAD
substance Y

Figure 2.4

Oxidation and reduction.
3

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis
SAQ
3 Look at Figure 2.3 to answer these questions. a Explain why ATP is actually used up during the first step in glycolysis. b How many ATP molecules are used? c How many ATP molecules are produced during glycolysis, from one glucose molecule? d What is the net gain in ATP molecules when one glucose molecule undergoes glycolysis?

Into a mitochondrion
What happens to the pyruvate depends on the availability of oxygen in the cell. If there is plenty, then aerobic respiration can take place. The pyruvate is moved into a mitochondrion. This is done by active transport (so again, we are using up
ATP before we can make it).
Figure 2.5 shows the structure of a mitochondrion.
Like a chloroplast, it is surrounded by an envelope
Diagram of a mitochondrion in longitudinal section envelope of two membranes. The inner membrane is folded, forming cristae. The ‘background material’ inside a mitochondrion is called the matrix.

The link reaction
Once inside the mitochondrion, the pyruvate undergoes a reaction known as the link reaction or oxidative decarboxylation. This takes place in the matrix. During the link reaction, carbon dioxide is removed from the pyruvate. This is called decarboxylation, and it is catalysed by decarboxylase enzymes. The carbon dioxide is an excretory product, and it diffuses out of the mitochondrion and out of the cell. Pyruvate is a three-carbon substance, so the removal of carbon dioxide leaves a compound with two carbon atoms.
At the same time as the carbon dioxide is

Drawing of a mitochondrion to show threedimensional structure

inner membrane outer membrane matrix

crista

ATPase

intramembranal space ribosome

Electron micrograph of a mitochondrion in longitudinal section (× 55 900)

outer membrane envelope inner membrane matrix crista

Figure 2.5
4

intramembranal space (intracristal space) The structure of a mitochondrion.

ATPase

ribosome

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis removed, hydrogen is also removed from pyruvate.
This is again picked up by NAD, producing reduced NAD.
The remainder of the pyruvate combines with coenzyme A (often known as CoA) to produce acetyl CoA (Figure 2.6).

CoA + pyruvate (3C) oxidised NAD

reduced
NAD
acetyl CoA (2C) + CO2

Figure 2.6

The link reaction.

The Krebs cycle
The link reaction is given that name because it provides the link between the two main series of reactions in aerobic respiration – glycolysis and the
Krebs cycle.

The Krebs cycle takes place in the matrix of the mitochondrion. It is a series of reactions in which a six-carbon compound is gradually changed to a four-carbon compound.
First, the acetyl coA made in the link reaction combines with a four-carbon compound called oxaloacetate. You can see in Figure 2.7 that coenzyme A is released at this point, ready to combine with more pyruvate. It is has served its function of passing the two-carbon acetyl group from pyruvate to oxaloacetate.
This converts oxaloacetate into a six-carbon compound called citrate. In a series of small steps, the citrate is converted back to oxaloacetate. As this happens, more carbon dioxide is released and more NAD is reduced as it accepts hydrogen.
In one stage, a different coenzyme, called FAD, accepts hydrogen. And at one point in the cycle a molecule of ATP is made.
Each of the steps in the Krebs cycle is catalysed by a specific enzyme. These enzymes are all present in the matrix of the mitochondrion. Those that
CoA

acetyl CoA (2C)

oxaloacetate (4C)

reduced
NAD

reduced
NAD

citrate (6C)

oxidised
NAD

oxidised
NAD
oxidised
NAD

oxidised
FAD

CO2
(5C)

ADP + Pi

ATP

Figure 2.7

reduced
NAD

(4C)

reduced
FAD

CO2

The Krebs cycle.
5

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis cause oxidation are called oxidoreductases or dehydrogenases. Those that remove carbon dioxide are decarboxylases.
Remember that the whole purpose of respiration is to produce ATP for the cell to use as an energy source. At first sight, it looks as though the contribution of the Krebs cycle to this is not very large, because only one ATP molecule is produced during one ‘turn’ of the cycle. This direct production of ATP is called substrate-level phosphorylation. However, as you will see, all those reduced NADs and reduced FADs are used to generate a very significant amount of ATP – much more than can be done from glycolysis.
Figure 2.8 shows how glycolysis, the link reaction and the Krebs cycle link together.

Glycolysis

glucose

triose phosphate ATP reduced NAD
ATP

pyruvate
Link reaction

reduced
NAD
acetyl CoA

CoA

Krebs cycle

citrate

reduced
NAD

Oxidative phosphorylation
The last stages of aerobic respiration involve oxidative phosphorylation: the use of oxygen to produce ATP from ADP and Pi. (You’ll remember that photophosphorylation was the production of
ATP using light.)

reduced
NAD
reduced
FAD

CO2

ATP

reduced
NAD

The electron transport chain
Held in the inner membrane of the mitochondrion are molecules called electron carriers. They make up the electron transport chain. These carriers are complex molecules, and include proteins and cytochromes. You have already come across a chain like this in photosynthesis. It is indeed very similar, and you will see that it works in a similar way.
Each reduced NAD molecule – which was produced in the matrix during the Krebs cycle – releases its hydrogens. Each hydrogen atom splits into a hydrogen ion, H+ (a proton) and an electron, e−.
H

H+ + e−

The electrons are picked up by the first of the electron carriers (Figure 2.9). The carrier is now reduced, because it has gained an electron. The reduced NAD has been oxidised, because it has lost hydrogen. The NAD can now go back to the
Krebs cycle and be re-used as a coenzyme to pick up hydrogen again.
6

Figure 2.8 Summary of glycolysis, the link reaction and the Krebs cycle.
The first electron carrier passes its electron to the next in the chain. The first carrier is therefore oxidised (because it has lost an electron) and the second is reduced. The electron is passed from one carrier to the next all the way along the chain.
As the electron is moved along, it releases energy which is used to make ATP.
At the end of the electron transport chain, the electron combines with a hydrogen ion and with oxygen, to form water. This is why we need oxygen.
The oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor for the electron transport chain.

ATP synthesis
We have seen that when hydrogens were donated to the electron transport chain by reduced NAD, they split into hydrogen ions and electrons. These both have an important role to play.
The electrons release energy as they pass along

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

reduced
NAD
reduced e– reduced

carrier 1

H

+

e–

oxidised

oxidised
NAD

carrier 2

reduced e– oxidised

O2

carrier 3 e– H+

oxidised

Energy is released and used to make ATP.
H2O

Figure 2.9

The electron transport chain.

the chain. Some of this energy is used to pump hydrogen ions across the inner membrane of the mitochondrion and into the space between the inner and outer membranes (Figure 2.10) – the intermembranal space. (You may have already read about this happening in photosynthesis, in Chapter
1.) This builds up a concentration gradient for
1 The electron transport chain provides energy to pump hydrogen ions from the matrix into the space between the two mitochondrial membranes. intermembranal space

H+

H+

inner membrane H+

matrix carrier carrier

the hydrogen ions, because there are more of them on one side of the inner membrane than the other. It is also an electrical gradient, because the hydrogen ions, H+, have a positive charge.
So there is now a greater positive charge on one side of the membrane than the other. There is an electrochemical gradient.
The hydrogen ions are now allowed to diffuse down this gradient. They have to pass through a group of protein molecules in the membrane that form a special channel for them. Apart from these channels, the membrane is largely impermeable to hydrogen ions. The channel proteins act as

carrier

H+

2 When the hydrogen ions are allowed to diffuse back through ATPase, the transferred energy is used to make ATP from ADP and Pi.

ADP + Pi

ATP

H+
H+

Figure 2.10

ATPase

Oxidative phosphorylation.
7

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis
ATPases. As the hydrogens pass through, the energy that they gained by being actively transported against their concentration gradient is used to make ATP from ADP and Pi.
This process is sometimes called chemiosmosis, which is rather confusing as it has nothing to do with water or water potentials.
SAQ
4 a Across which membranes in a mitochondrion would you expect there to be a pH gradient? b Which side would have the lower pH? c Across which membranes in a chloroplast would you expect there to be a pH gradient? d Which side would have the lower pH?

How much ATP?
We have seen that, in aerobic respiration, glucose is first oxidised to pyruvate in glycolysis. Then the pyruvate is oxidised in the Krebs cycle, which produces some ATP directly. Hydrogens removed at various steps in the Krebs cycle, and also those removed in glycolysis, are passed along the electron transport chain where more ATP is produced.

For every two hydrogens donated to the electron transport chain by each reduced NAD, three ATP molecules are made. The hydrogens donated by
FAD start at a later point in the chain, so only two
ATP molecules are formed.
However, we also need to remember that some energy has been put into these processes. In particular, energy is needed to transport ADP from the cytoplasm and into the mitochondrion.
(You can’t make ATP unless you have ADP and
Pi to make it from.) Energy is also needed to transport ATP from the mitochondrion, where it is made, into the cytoplasm, where it will be used.
Taking this into account, we can say that overall the hydrogens from each reduced NAD produce about two and a half ATPs (not three) while those from reduced FAD produce about one a half ATPs
(not two).
Now we can count up how much ATP is made from the oxidation of one glucose molecule.
Table 2.1 shows the balance sheet. If you want to work this out for yourself, remember that one glucose molecule produces two pyruvate molecules, so there are two turns of the Krebs cycle for each glucose molecule.

Process
Glycolysis

ATP used phosphorylation of glucose

ATP produced

2

substrate level phosphorylation of ADP

4

from reduced NAD

5

Link reaction

from reduced NAD

5

Krebs cycle

substrate level phosphorylation of ADP

2

from reduced NAD

15

from reduced FAD

3

34

32

Totals
Net yield

2

Table 2.1 ATP molecules that can theoretically be produced from one glucose molecule. Note: these are maximum values, and the actual yield will vary from tissue to tissue.

8

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

Structure and function in mitochondria
The number of mitochondria in a cell depends on its activity. Mammalian liver cells, which are very active, contain between 1000 and 2000 mitochondria. Their shape and size are variable but they remain quite narrow, rarely more than
1 mm in diameter. This keeps the distances down for the diffusion of the materials that pass into and out of the mitochondrion (Figure 2.11).

reduced
NAD

pyruvate

ADP

Pi

NAD
ATP

H2O

oxygen

in general, mitochondria from active cells have longer, more densely packed cristae than those from less active cells.
The outer and inner mitochondrial membranes have different compositions and properties, particularly in terms of the movement of substances across them. For example, reduced
NAD generated in the cytoplasm has to be moved into the intracristal spaces to provide electrons for the electron transport chain. Electrons have to be transported back and forth between the faces of the inner membrane to move H+ into the intracristal spaces. ATPase molecules attached to the inner membrane allow the movement of
H+ through them from the intracristal space to the matrix. All of these are necessary for ATP synthesis (Figure 2.12).

CO2

Figure 2.11 Exchange of substances between the mitochondrion and the cytoplasm.
The inner mitochondrial membrane is folded inwards to form cristae. This membrane is the site of the electron transport chain and oxidative phosphorylation and contains the proteins necessary for this, including the ATPase molecules attached to the surface of the inner membrane.
The space between the two mitochondrial membranes usually has a lower pH than the matrix of the mitochondrion as a result of the H+ that are transported into the intermembrane space by the activity of the electron transport chain. They are contained there until they are allowed out during
ATP synthesis.
These cristae give the inner membrane a large total surface area, so it can hold many molecules of the electron transport chain and ATPase.
The more membrane there is, the more ATP and reduced NAD can be produced. Cristae in mitochondria from different types of cells show considerable variation in appearance, but,

Figure 2.12 TEM of a mitochondrion inside a pancreatic cell, where much ATP is required for the synthesis of enzymes.
9

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

Using energy to keep warm
Going through the ATPases is not the only way that hydrogen ions (protons) can move down the electrochemical gradient from the space between the mitochondrial membranes into its matrix.
Some of the protons are able to leak through other parts of the inner membrane. This is called proton leak.
Proton leak is important in generating heat.
In babies, in a special tissue known as brown fat, the inner mitochondrial membrane contains a transport protein called uncoupling protein
(UCP), which allows protons to leak through the membrane. The energy involved is not used to make ATP – in other words, the movement of the protons has been uncoupled from ATP production. Instead, the energy is transferred to heat energy. Brown fat in babies can produce a lot of heat.
Some people’s mitochondrial membranes are leakier than others, and it is likely that this difference can at least partly account for people’s different metabolic rates.

Anaerobic respiration
The processes described so far – glycolysis followed by the link reaction, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain – make up the metabolic reactions that we call aerobic respiration. They can all only take place when oxygen is present. This is because oxygen is needed as the final electron acceptor from the electron transport chain. If there is no oxygen, then the electron carriers cannot pass on their electrons, so they cannot accept any more from reduced NAD. So the reduced NAD cannot be reconverted to NAD, meaning that there is nothing available to accept hydrogens from the reactions in the link reaction or Krebs cycle.
The link reaction, Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain all grind to a halt. It is like a traffic jam building up on a blocked road. The whole process of respiration backs up all the way from the formation of pyruvate.
However, glycolysis can still take place – so
10

During the First World War in Britain, women helped to make artillery shells. One of the chemicals used was 2,4-dinitrophenol. Some of the women became very thin after exposure to this chemical. For a short time in the 1930s, it was actually used as a diet pill. Now we know that dinitrophenol increases the leakiness of the inner mitochondrial membrane. It is banned from use as a diet pill because it increases the likelihood of developing cataracts and it can damage the nervous system. However, several pharmaceutical companies are still working on the development of drugs that could be used to help obese people lose weight, based on this same idea.

long as something can be done with the pyruvate.
And, indeed, pyruvate does have an alternative, unblocked route that it can go down. In many organisms it can be changed into lactate. pyruvate + reduced NAD

lactate + NAD

This reaction requires the addition of hydrogen, which is taken from reduced NAD. The pyruvate is acting as an alternative hydrogen acceptor.
These NAD molecules can now accept hydrogen as glycolysis takes place, just as they normally do. So at least some ATP can be made, because glycolysis can carry on as usual.
The oxidation of glucose by means of glycolysis and the lactate pathway is known as anaerobic respiration or lactic fermentation (Figure 2.13).
You can probably see that anaerobic respiration only generates a tiny amount of ATP compared with aerobic respiration. None of the ATP that could have been generated in the Krebs cycle or

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis electron transport chain is made. Instead of the theoretical maximum of 32 molecules of ATP from each molecule of glucose, anaerobic respiration produces only 2. (Remember that the reduced
NAD produced in glycolysis is not able to pass on its hydrogens to the electron transport chain – it gives them to pyruvate instead.)

Dealing with the lactate
The lactate pathway is most likely to occur in skeletal muscle cells. When they are exercising vigorously, they may need more oxygen than can be supplied to them by the blood. They carry on using whatever oxygen they can in aerobic respiration, but may also ‘top up’ their ATP production by using the lactate pathway. This means that lactate can build up in the muscle cells.
The lactate diffuses into the blood, where it dissolves in the plasma and is carried around the body. A high concentration of lactate can make a person feel disorientated and nauseous, as it affects the cells in the brain. If it builds up too much, it can stop the muscles from contracting.
A 400 m race is notorious for producing high concentrations of lactate in the blood, and some athletes actually vomit after running this race.
When the lactate reaches the liver, the hepatocytes (liver cells) absorb it and use it. They first convert it back to pyruvate. Later, when the exercise has stopped and oxygen is plentiful

again, they will oxidise the pyruvate using the link reaction and the Krebs cycle. They also convert some of it to glycogen, which they store as an energy reserve.
This removal of the lactate by the hepatocytes requires oxygen. This is why you go on breathing heavily after strenuous exercise. You are providing extra oxygen to your liver cells, to enable them to metabolise the lactate. The extra oxygen required is often known as the oxygen debt.

Anaerobic respiration in yeast
All mammals use the lactate pathway in anaerobic respiration. Fungi and plants, however, have a different pathway, in which ethanol is produced
(Figure 2.14). This is also called fermentation. glucose (hexose)

triose phosphate oxidised NAD oxidised NAD

reduced
NAD
pyruvate ethanal dehydrogenase

ethanal

ethanol ethanol dehydrogenase

CO2

glucose (hexose)

Figure 2.14 in yeast.

triose phosphate oxidised NAD

SAQ
5 a Outline the differences between the metabolism of pyruvate in humans and in yeast, in anaerobic respiration. b How are these two processes similar?

reduced
NAD
pyruvate

lactate dehydrogenase oxidised
NAD

Fermentation (anaerobic respiration)

lactate

Figure 2.13 Lactic fermentation (anaerobic respiration); the production of lactate from pyruvate generates oxidised NAD and allows glycolysis to continue.
11

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

The commercial uses of anaerobic respiration The alcoholic drinks industry is dependent on anaerobic fermentation by yeast, producing alcohol in beer and wine, or alcohol that is distilled to produce spirits, such as rum. There are so many plant sources that are rich in fermentable carbohyrates that there is a vast range of such drinks produced around the world. For rum, the fermentable carbohydrate is sucrose in sugar cane. For beer, starch in grains of barley, which is not fermentable, has to be broken down by the amylase enzymes produced by the grain when the grain is kept moist and it starts to germinate. The starch is broken down into maltose, which is the carbohydrate substrate for the fermentation.
In bread making, yeast respires and the carbon dioxide it produces causes the dough to rise.
At least at the start, however, there is enough air mixed in the dough for the respiration to be aerobic. Yoghurt is produced by the lactic fermentation of milk by the bacterium Lactobacillus bulgaricus.
Lactobacillus spp and other bacterial species carry out a similar anaerobic fermentation of harvested grass to produce silage. The acid waste products of this fermentation preserve the grass, so it can be fed to farm animals even when grass is not available to graze. This is particularly important in areas of the world with cold winters or very dry seasons.

Respiratory substrates
The substance that is used to produce ATP in a cell by respiration is known as a respiratory substrate.
So far, we have described respiration as if the only respiratory substrate was glucose. In fact, many cells in the body are able to use other substances as respiratory substrates, especially lipids and proteins. (Brain cells are unusual in that they can use only glucose.)
Figure 2.15 shows the metabolic pathways by which glucose is oxidised in aerobic respiration.
You can also see how other substrates can enter into these reactions.
Lipids can be hydrolysed to glycerol and fatty acids, and then enter glycolysis and the

link reaction. Amino acids, produced from the hydrolysis of proteins, are fed into the link reaction and the Krebs cycle.
These different respiratory substrates have glucose triose phosphate proteins pyruvate amino acids acetyl CoA

glycerol

lipids

fatty acids CoA citrate CO2

Figure 2.15 How fats, fatty acids and proteins are respired. different energy values. Carbohydrates and proteins have very similar energy yields, releasing about
17 kJ g−1. The values for fats are much higher, around 39 kJ g−1. The reason for this greater energy content is mainly due to the higher proportion of H atoms compared with C and O atoms in fat molecules. Most of the energy released by respiration is obtained from the electron within each
H atom.
Different tissues in the body tend to use different substrates. Red blood cells and brain cells are almost entirely dependent on glucose. Heart
SAQ
6 Which respiratory substrates shown in Figure
2.15 can be used only when there is a supply of oxygen? Explain your answer.
12

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

SAQ
7 Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins can all be used as substrates for the production of ATP.
Suggest why migratory birds and the seeds of many plants tend to use lipids as an energy store, rather than carbohydrates.

Measuring the rate of aerobic respiration Aerobic respiration uses oxygen and produces carbon dioxide. If a respiring organism is placed in a closed space and any carbon dioxide present is constantly removed, there will be a fall in the volume of gas in this space as oxygen is used up.
Carbon dioxide is quickly removed from air by soda lime or a potassium hydroxide solution.
The simple respirometer in Figure 2.16 can be used to measure the rate of aerobic respiration.
The basic use of this apparatus is described here.
1 Remove the testas of some germinating beans and measure the mass of the beans. Removal of the testa increases the rate of gas exchange, because the testa is relatively impermeable.
2 Assemble the apparatus as shown in the diagram.
Soda lime is harmful to the germinating beans and must be kept away from them.
3 Leave the apparatus for about 3 minutes for it to reach room temperature (equilibrate) before readings are taken. This minimises error due to temperature changes and gives time for the soda lime to absorb the carbon dioxide in the air.

coloured water capillary tube meniscus

Figure 2.16 A simple respirometer.
13

attached graph paper or ruler

4 At measured time intervals record the position of the inner meniscus in the tube using the attached graph paper or ruler. The volume of gas inside the apparatus should fall steadily as oxygen is used up.
5 Plot a graph of position of meniscus against time and draw a line of best fit. It is expected to be a straight line because distance travelled is directly proportional to the volume of oxygen used. 6 Calculate the gradient of the line. This is equivalent to the rate of respiration with units of millimeters per second (mm s−1) (Figure 2.17).
7 If required, the units of rate of respiration can be changed to volume of oxygen. This is done by converting the distance moved (d) to a volume by multiplying by πr2. Alternatively it can be found by measuring the volume of liquid taken up into a particular length of tube. The results can also be expressed as rate of oxygen uptake per gram of beans.
Calculate the gradient:
Rate = d1 t1 8
=
100
= 0.08 mm s−1

20
Distance / mm

muscle gets about 70% of its ATP by using fatty acids as the respiratory substrate. Other muscles readily use fatty acids, as well as carbohydrates.

10

d1
0

t1
0

20

40

60
80
Time / s

100

Figure 2.17 Calculating rate of respiration.

soda lime

germinating mung beans

syringe

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

syringe

threeway tap

threeway tap
OFF

OFF

soda lime 50

soda lime 20

30

40

cotton wool glass beads respiring organisms 10

Gas volumes are extremely sensitive to temperature and pressure. If the air temperature rises during an experiment, the drop in the volume of air inside the apparatus will be less than that you would expect from the uptake of oxygen. Water baths are commonly used to maintain stable temperatures, but this respirometer cannot be used in a water bath.
Error is also introduced if there is a change in the atmospheric pressure of the laboratory air outside the apparatus during the experiment.
Both of these errors can be corrected by using a second simple respirometer, without respiring organisms, at the same time as the experimental respirometer. The apparatus without organisms acts as a control and readings have to be taken at the same time with both pieces of apparatus.
The control apparatus measures volume changes due to changes in atmospheric pressure and air temperature. The readings can be subtracted from the experimental results, to find the changes due to respiration alone.
A more complicated apparatus that can be used with a water bath to stabilise temperature, and which can reduce error due to changes in laboratory air pressure, is shown in Figure 2.17.
This apparatus uses a U-tube manometer to measure pressure difference between the air in the two tubes. Any gas volume change due to temperature or laboratory air pressure fluctuations will affect both the control tube, without respiring organisms, and the tube containing the organisms.
As the two tubes are connected by the manometer these pressure changes are cancelled out. Pressure changes affecting one tube but not the other will cause the manometer fluid to show a difference in height on the two sides of the U-tube.
The apparatus is assembled with both three-way taps open to the air, to prevent the manometer fluid being pushed into the tubes. However, during an experiment both three-way taps are closed to prevent air movement between the air in the apparatus and air in the laboratory, as shown in
Figure 2.18. The difference between the levels of manometer fluid on the two sides of the U-tube represents the pressure difference between the air in the two tubes. This can be recorded over time.

However, there is both a pressure and volume change in the experimental tube. If the syringe is used to equalise the levels of the manometer fluid on both sides, while the taps remain in the position shown in the diagram, the syringe will record just the volume.

water bath 0

Errors involved in measuring gas volume

U-tube manometer manometer fluid Figure 2.18 A differential respirometer.
SAQ
8 Design an investigation to determine the effect of temperature on the rate of respiration of germinating mung beans using the differential respirometer. Include step by step instructions.
Describe the main sources of error and the steps taken to minimise or eliminate them.

14

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

Summary currency of every living cell. ATP made metabolic pathway
• ATP is the energyinvolves the stepwise breakdown of isglucoseby aother substrates. known as respiration. This or series of steps in respiration is known as glycolysis the Each
• The firstmolecule is converted to two pyruvate molecules. In and takes place inATP cytoplasm.are used glucose this process, two molecules and four produced. Reduced NAD is also formed. take place, and the • When oxygen is available, aerobic respiration canto acetyl CoA inthe pyruvate is moved intoacetyl matrix of a mitochondrion where it is converted the link reaction. The 2C
CoA combines with the 4C compound oxaloacetate and enters the Krebs cycle. also takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. converts the 6C
• The Krebs cyclein a series of steps. Dehydrogenation reactionsItremove hydrogen,compound citrate to oxaloacetate which is taken up by NAD to produce reduced NAD, or by FAD to produce reduced FAD. Decarboxylation reactions remove carbon dioxide, which diffuses out of the cell and is excreted. Substrate-level phosphorylation occurs, in which ATP is made directly. and reduced their electrons to the electron
• The reduced NADcristae. As the FAD passpass along the chain, they losetransport chain in the inner membrane of the electrons energy which is transferred to hydrogen ions, moving these ions across the membrane from the matrix to the intramembranal space. At the end of the chain, the electrons combine with hydrogen ions and oxygen atoms to form water molecules. accumulated in the intramembranal the • The hydrogen ions that haveThey pass through ATPase molecules,space diffuse back throughconvert membrane into the matrix. which use their energy to
ADP and Pi to ADP. This is oxidative phosphorylation. is not available, anaerobic respiration occurs. Glycolysis proceeds as the • If oxygendoes not enter a mitochondrion. Instead, it is converted to lactate (in normal, but ethanol pyruvate animals) or
(in yeast). These reactions convert reduced NAD back to NAD, allowing glycolysis to continue. rate of oxygen uptake by aerobically respiring organisms.
• A respirometer can be used to measure thelime or potassium hydroxide solution removes carbon
A carbon dioxide absorbant such as soda dioxide from the air, so that the drop in volume of the air inside the apparatus results directly from the use of oxygen by the organisms.

Questions
Multiple choice questions
1 Which of the following cellular processes in living organisms does not require ATP ? A division of a cell by mitosis B uptake of carbon dioxide by leaves C protein synthesis D movement of a sperm cell
2

15

ATP made during glycolysis is generated by:
A substrate level phosphorylation.
B oxidative phosphorylation.
C reduction of NAD.
D oxidation of reduced NAD.

continued ...

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

3 The diagram below shows a mitochondrion in a cell. Which of the following correctly identifies where the Krebs cycle and oxidative phosphorylation occur?
I

II

IV

III

Krebs cycle

Oxidative phosphorylation

A

I

II

B

I

III

C

II

IV

D

IV

II

4. The diagram below shows some of the stages of respiration. Which of the following identifies molecules X and Y respectively? glucose glycolysis

reduced NAD

reduced NAD

molecule X

acetyl coenzyme A

molecule Y
A pyruvate and oxygen
B pyruvate and carbon dioxide
C lactate and hydrogen
D fructose bisphosphate and carbon dioxide

5 The diagram below shows a simple respirometer. clip 0

10

20

30

40

50

drop of fluid

capillary tube animals potassium hydroxide solution

What can the apparatus be used to measure?
A oxygen uptake
B oxygen uptake minus carbon dioxide production
C carbon dioxide uptake
D carbon dioxide production minus oxygen production

continued ...

16

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

6 Which of the following enters and leaves the mitochondrion during aerobic respiration?
Enters

Leaves

A

reduced NAD

phosphate

B

ATP

NAD

C

pyruvate

ADP

D

oxygen

water

7 During strenuous exercise, muscles in humans respire anaerobically. What product(s) is (are) formed during this process? A carbon dioxide and alcohol B alcohol only C lactate only D lactate and carbon dioxide
8

Which of the following statements about respiration is true?
A In the absence of NAD, glycolysis can function.
B Carbon dioxide is released in the conversion of glucose to pyruvate.
C Glucose is oxidised and oxygen is reduced.
D The end products of glycolysis are reduced NAD and pyruvate.

9 The diagram below shows the Krebs cycle. Which correctly identifies the 4-carbon and
6-carbon compounds? acetyl CoA (2C)

4-carbon compound

6-carbon compound

reduced
NAD
reduced
NAD
CO2

reduced
FAD

reduced
CO2 NAD

4-carbon compound

6-carbon compound

A

citrate

oxaloacetate

B

pyruvate

citrate

C

acetyl CoA

oxaloacetate

D

oxaloacetate

citrate continued ...

17

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

10 If oxygen is available during the process of aerobic respiration, the maximum net number of ATP molecules that can be theoretically produced from a molecule of glucose is: A 2. B 4. C 32. D 38.
Structured questions
11 The apparatus below is a simple respirometer. Some students in a CAPE™ Biology class used it to determine the rate of oxygen uptake by germinating mung beans. coloured water

a b c d capillary tube meniscus

attached graph paper or ruler

soda lime

Explain how the apparatus shown in the diagram can be used to measure the rate of oxygen uptake in mm3 min−1 g−1.
Apart from lack of a control, describe two other limitations of the procedure described in a.
Describe a control which should be set up to obtain valid results.
The results in the table below were obtained by the students when measuring the uptake of oxygen by the mung beans.
Time/s

0

30

60

90

Distance moved by meniscus /mm e

f

germinating mung beans

0.0

10.0

20.5

32.0

120
43.5

150
52.0

syringe

[3 marks]
[2 marks]
[3 marks]

180
67.0

Plot a graph of the results.
[4 marks]
Using the data in d, calculate the average volume of oxygen taken up in mm3 min−1 g−1.
Assume that the diameter of the capillary tube is 0.2 mm and 0.5 g of mung beans was used. The formula to calculate volume is π r2 d.
[2 marks]
Explain how the apparatus could be used to measure the volume of carbon dioxide produced per minute.
[2 marks]

continued ...

18

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

g The diagram below shows a differential respirometer. It eliminates some limitations of a simple respirometer.

threeway tap

syringe

OFF

threeway tap

OFF

soda lime 20

30

tube X

0

10

glass beads water bath cotton wool 40

50

soda lime respiring organisms U-tube manometer manometer fluid Explain the functions of the following: i tube X ii the three-way tap iii the syringe iv water bath

[4 marks]

12 The electron micrograph below shows cross sections of two mitochondria.

continued ...

19

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

a Identify the structures labelled I to V. b i Calculate the diameter of the mitochondrion labelled A in micrometres (microns) (μm). Show your working. ii Even though the length and shape of mitochondria may vary, the diameter remains small, rarely exceeding 1.0 μm. Suggest a reason for this observation. c Use the numbered labels on the micrograph to indicate where: i the Krebs cycle occurs. ii oxidative phosphorylation occurs. d Describe four ways in which the structure of the mitochondrion is adapted for aerobic respiration. e Identify one compound which enters and one compound which leaves the mitochondrion.

[5 marks]
[2 marks]
[1mark]

[2 marks]
[4 marks]
[1 mark]

13 Some stages of glycolysis are shown in the diagram below.
C
C

O

C

C

P
C
C

C

C

O

C

glucose
(hexose)

C
C

C glucose-6-

P
C
C

O
C

C
C
C

phosphate

P
C
C

P
C
C

O

C fructose

C

fructose-6phosphate

bisphosphate

NAD + Pi reduced NAD
C

C

P
C

triose phosphate ADP
ATP

ATP ADP
C

C

C

pyruvate

C

P
C

C

C

C

C P

P
C

C

P
C

a What is meant by the term ‘glycolysis’ and where does it occur? b Explain why glucose is broken down in a series of steps. c i Copy the diagram of glycolysis above. Write the label ‘phosphorylation’ to show where phosphorylation involving the breakdown of ATP to ADP occurs. ii Give two reasons for the phosphorylation of glucose. d Suggest a reason for the rearrangement of glucose-6-phosphate to fructose-6-phosphate. e i Write the label “lysis” on your diagram to show where the lysis of the hexose sugar into triose sugars occurs. ii Give two reasons for the lysis of the hexose sugar. f Show on the diagram where oxidation occurs. g Explain why inorganic phosphate is added to glyceraldehye-3-phosphate. h i State the net gain of ATP molecules when one molecule of glucose is broken down to pyruvic acid. ii Name the process by which ATP is produced in glycolysis. i What are the products of glycolysis? j State two possible fates of the pyruvate in a muscle cell.

[2 marks]
[2 marks]
[2 marks]
[2 marks]
[1 mark]
[1 mark]
[2 marks]
[1 mark]
[1 mark]

[2 marks]
[2 marks]
[2 marks] continued ...

20

Chapter 2: Cellular respiration and ATP synthesis

Essay questions
14 a b c d

Describe the role of NAD in aerobic respiration.
Explain the terms ‘decarboxylation’ and ‘dehydrogenation’.
Describe the reactions which link glycolysis to the Krebs cycle.
Discuss the main features of the Krebs cycle.

15 a i ATP is often described as the ‘universal currency of cells’. What do you understand by the term? ii Identify two cellular processes in living organisms that require ATP. Most of the ATP produced in cellular respiration is made by a process known as oxidative phosphorylation. b By means of a diagram, describe the main features of oxidative phosphorylation. c Oxygen acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain. The poison cyanide binds to the electron carrier, cytochrome oxidase. Explain how cyanide stops ATP production by the mitochondria.
16 a i Describe the fate of pyruvate and reduced NAD molecules formed under anaerobic conditions in both yeast and mammalian muscle cells. ii Describe how anaerobic respiration in yeast and mammalian muscle cells differs. b Discuss the commercial uses of anaerobic respiration in yeast cells. c i What do you understand by the term ‘oxygen debt’? ii Describe the fate of the product formed in respiring muscle cells during vigorous exercise.

21

[2 marks]
[2 marks]
[4 marks]
[7 marks]
[2 marks]
[2 marks]

[8 marks]

[3 marks]
[5 marks]
[2 marks]
[3 marks]
[2 marks]
[3 marks]