IB Biology 2013

Respiration notes

3.7 Cell respiration (SL)

3.7.1 Define cell respiration (1)

Cell respiration: The controlled release of energy from organic compounds in cells to form
ATP


3.7.2 State that in cell respiration glucose in the cytoplasm is broken down by glycolysis
In cell respiration, glucose in the cytoplasm is broken down by glycolysis



















3.7.3 Explain that, during anaerobic cell respiration, pyruvate can be converted in the
cytoplasm into lactate, or ethanol and carbon dioxide, with no further yield of ATP (3)

















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3.7.4 Explain that, during aerobic cell respiration, pyruvate can be broken down in the
mitochondrion into CO
2
and water with a large yield of ATP (3)















When oxygen is available, pyruvate is completely oxidise to CO
2
, water and a large
quantity (36 38) of ATPs
Pyruvate first passes into mitochondria by facilitated diffusion, where required
enzymes are found

Pyruvate oxidised by:

- Removal of H by H-acceptors (oxidising agents)
-
Addition of O to the C atoms to form CO
2



















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8.1 Cell Respiration (HL)

8.1.1 State that oxidation involves the loss of electrons(1)

Oxidation involves the loss of electrons from an elements, whereas reduction
involves a gain of electrons
Oxidation frequently involves gaining oxygen or losing hydrogen, whereas reduction
frequently involves losing oxygen or gaining hydrogen

8.1.2 Outline the process of glycolysis including phosphorylation, lysis, oxidation and ATP
formation (2)

Process of glycolysis in the cytoplasm, one hexose sugar is converted into two three-
carbon atom compounds (pyruvate) with a net gain of two ATP (2 are used, 4 are produced)
and two NADH + H
+

Step 1:
Glucose is phosphorylated two phosphate groups are added to glucose to form
hexose bi-phosphate.
These two phosphate groups are provided by two ATP molecules.

Step 2:
Lysis of hexose bi-phosphate hexose bi-phosphate splits into two molecules of
triose phosphate

Step 3:
Each triose phosphate molecule is oxidised two atoms of H are removed from each
molecule
Energy released by oxidation used to add another phosphate group to each
molecule
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Will result in two 3-C compounds, each carrying two phosphate groups
NAD+ is H-carrier that accepts H-atoms lost from each triose phosphate molecule

Step 4:
Two pyruvate molecules are formed by removing 2 P groups from each molecule
These phosphate groups give to ADP molecules and form ATP















8.1.3 Draw and label a diagram showing the
structure of a mitochondrion as seen in
electron micrographs (1)



8.1.4 Explain aerobic respiration, including the link reaction, Krebs cycle, NADH+H
+
,
electron transport chain and the role of oxygen (3)

Aerobic respiration occurs in the mitochondria of cells in the presence of oxygen. Glucose
(6C) is oxidised into two pyruvates (2 x 3C), which then reacts with oxygen to produce CO
2

and H
2
O

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The first step of aerobic respiration is the Link Reaction

Link reaction:

Mitochondria in cells take up pyruvate, which is formed from glycolysis in the
cytoplasm.
Once pyruvate is in the mitochondrion, enzymes within the mitochondrion matrix
remove H and CO
2
from the pyruvate (oxidation and decarboxylation).
Hydrogen removed is accepted by NAD+ to form NADH H+
Link reaction results in formation of an acetyl group, which is then accepted by CoA
and forms acetyl CoA



The Krebs Cycle:

Step 1:
Acetyl group from acetyle CoA transferred to a 4-C compound to form a 6-C
compound

Step 2:
6-C undergoes decarboxylation (CO
2
removed) and oxidation (H is removed) to form
a 5-C compound.
H accepted by NAD+ to form NADH + H+

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Step 3:
5-C compound undergoes decarboxylation and oxidation to again form a 4-C
compound.
H accepted by NAD+ to form NADH + H+

Step 4:

4-C compound then undergoes substrate level phosphorylation and during this
reaction produces ATP.
Oxidation occurs twice (2 H are removed) one H accepted by NAD+, the other by
FAD to form HADH
2
.
4-C compound then ready to accept a new acetyle group and the cycle is repeated.


CO
2
that is removed is a waste product and excreted from the body.

Oxidations release energy which is then stored by carriers (NAD+, FAD) when they
accept hydrogen

Energy later used by electron transport chain to produce ATP

Electron Transport Chain:
Chain of electron carriers inside the inner membrane of mitochondria electron
transport chain
Electrons from oxidative reactions in earlier stages of respiration pass along the
chain
NADH donates 2 electrons to first carrier in chain
These 2 electrons pass along chain and release energy from one carrier to the next
At 3 locations along the chain, enough energy is released to produce ATP via ATP
synthase (enzyme found in inner mitochondrial membrane)
FADH
2
also donates electrons but at later stage
Enough energy released at only 2 locations from FADH
2

ATP production relies on energy released by oxidation and is therefore called
oxidative phosphorylation



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8.1.5 Explain oxidative phosphorylation in terms of chemiosmosis (3)

Chemiosmosis is the diffusion of ions across a semi-permeable membrane through a
protein carrier
Ions = H
+
protons; carrier = ATP synthase
Flow of H
+
through ATP synthase generates ATP

A concentration gradient of H
+
must be maintained electrons need to be removed
to allow ETC to continue

On the inner membrane of the mitochondria (Cristae) there are membrane proteins.
The oxidation of reduced coenzymes (NADH + H
+
and FADH
2
) allows these membrane
proteins to pump protons (H
+
) into the space between the outer and inner
mitochondrial membranes.
The electrons released from the reduced coenzyme flows along the electron
transfer chain of proteins.
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These H
+
form a high concentration (low pH) within this space. They diffuse back to
the matrix through a channel in a membrane protein called an ATP synthetase.
This flow of H
+
through the ATP synthetase drives an enzyme reaction that brings
about the phosphorylation of ADP to ATP.

Oxidative Phosphorylation coupled to the synthesis of ATP.
The membrane shown is only the inner mitochondrial membrane folded into the
cristae.
The NADH is oxidised and the reduced proteins transport H
+
from the matrix into the
space between both mitochondrial membranes.
There is electron transfer down the
chain of proteins in a series of oxidation and
reductions.
For each NADH, 3 Moles of H
+
are
pumped into the space.
Oxygen supplied by the
respiratory/ circulatory system
acts as the final H
+
acceptor
forming water.

The FADH
2
is oxidised and the
reduced membrane proteins
pump H
+
into the space
between the mitochondrial
membranes.
The H
+
diffuse back to the matrix driving the ATP Synthetase to produce ATP.
One FADH
2
produces two moles of hydrogen ions.
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Again, the H
+
are accepted by oxygen to form water.

A concentration gradient has been created between the high concentration of H
+
between
the mitochondrial membranes and the
lower concentration in the matrix.

ATP synthetase is an enzyme
embedded in the cristae membrane.
H
+
create an electrochemical
gradient (chemical potential energy).
The H
+
pass through a channel
in the enzyme driving the motor.
The motor spins bringing
together ADP and Pi to produce ATP





8.1.6 Explain the relationship between the structure of the mitochondrion and its
function (3)

Structure Function
Cristae Provides large surface area for the electron
transport chain
Inter-membrane space Low volume makes it easy to generate H
+

concentration gradient
Fluid matrix Containing all enzymes and solutes required for
the link reaction and Krebs cycle
Inter mitochondrial membrane Where transport proteins and ATP synthase bind