Cellular Respiration Quiz
High School Biology • Assessment
Cellular Respiration Quiz
10 Multiple Choice Questions
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Date:
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/ 10
Directions: Select the best response for each question and clearly fill in the corresponding circle.
1 point per question
- Which chemical equation accurately summarizes the overall process of aerobic cellular respiration?
A 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + Sunlight → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
B C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O + ATP
C C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2 Lactic Acid + 2 ATP
D 6CO₂ + 6O₂ + ATP → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6H₂O
- In eukaryotic cells, glycolysis takes place in which cellular compartment?
A Mitochondrial matrix
B Inner mitochondrial membrane
C Cytoplasm (cytosol)
D Nucleus
- During glycolysis, one six-carbon glucose molecule is split into which of the following end products?
A Two 3-carbon pyruvate molecules
B Two 2-carbon Acetyl-CoA units
C Six molecules of carbon dioxide
D Two molecules of lactic acid only
- What is the primary biological role of coenzymes NAD⁺ and FAD in cellular respiration?
A Pumping hydrogen ions directly across the outer mitochondrial membrane
B Accepting high-energy electrons and shuttling them to the electron transport chain
C Directly hydrolyzing ATP into ADP to provide activation energy
D Acting as structural lipids in the mitochondrial cristae
- Before pyruvate enters the Krebs cycle, it is converted into Acetyl-CoA during the intermediate (link) reaction. What gas is released as a byproduct during this step?
A Oxygen (O₂)
B Carbon dioxide (CO₂)
C Methane (CH₄)
D Water vapor (H₂O)
High School Biology • Cellular Energetics Please turn over for Questions 6–10 → Page 1 of 2
Cellular Respiration Quiz
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Page 2 of 2
- The citric acid cycle (Krebs cycle) takes place in the mitochondrial matrix. For every turn of the cycle, what are the primary energy-storing molecules generated?
A NADH, FADH₂, and ATP (or GTP)
B Glucose, NAD⁺, and ADP
C Lactic acid, ethanol, and oxygen
D Pyruvate and NADPH only
- What creates the proton (H⁺) electrochemical gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane that powers ATP synthase during chemiosmosis?
A The active diffusion of glucose molecules through specialized membrane pores
B The transfer of electrons down the electron transport chain pumping H⁺ into the intermembrane space
C The enzymatic breakdown of carbon dioxide within the outer membrane
D The direct condensation of ADP and inorganic phosphate without electron transfer
- Why is molecular oxygen (O₂) strictly essential for aerobic respiration?
A It acts as the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain, forming H₂O
B It binds with glucose in the cytoplasm to initiate the first reaction of glycolysis
C It supplies high-energy electrons directly to the mitochondrial matrix enzymes
D It prevents carbon dioxide from escaping through the cellular membrane
- Approximately how many net molecules of ATP are typically produced from the complete aerobic breakdown of one glucose molecule, compared to anaerobic glycolysis alone?
A 2 ATP aerobic vs. 32 ATP anaerobic
B 30–32 ATP aerobic vs. 2 ATP anaerobic
C 100 ATP aerobic vs. 50 ATP anaerobic
D 4 ATP aerobic vs. 4 ATP anaerobic
- When oxygen is absent or depleted (anaerobic conditions), muscle cells undergo fermentation. What is the crucial purpose of this fermentation pathway?
A To produce large quantities of oxygen internally for mitochondria
B To oxidize NADH back into NAD⁺ so glycolysis can continue producing ATP
C To transport pyruvate directly into the Krebs cycle without oxygen
D To convert lactic acid into glucose within seconds without using energy
Reminder: Review your choices carefully before turning in your quiz paper.
Total: 10 Points
High School Biology • Cellular Energetics End of Assessment Page 2 of 2
