AQA GCSE Combined Science Biology

Topic 4
Bioenergetics
Model answer notes by @biologywitholivia

Topic Sub-topic Understand Memorise Practise

4.1 4.1.1 Photosynthetic reaction

Photosynthesis
4.1.2 Rate of photosynthesis

Required practical 5

4.1.3 Uses of glucose from photosynthesis

4.2 4.2.1 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Respiration
4.2.2 Response to exercise

4.2.3 Metabolism
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4.1 Photosynthesis
4.1.1 Photosynthetic reaction
Fundamental biological concept / principle 3

“The two essential reactions for life on Earth: photosynthesis and respiration from sections Photosynthetic
reaction and Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.”

Students should be able to recall and use this knowledge in questions that link different areas of the
specification in either paper.

What happens in photosynthesis?

1 Light energy is absorbed

2 By chlorophyll (pigment) in chloroplasts in plant / algal cells

3 This energy is used to convert carbon dioxide and water into

glucose (sugar) and oxygen (by-product)

What type of reaction is photosynthesis and why?

Endothermic reaction - energy transferred from environment to chloroplast by light

State the word and symbol equations for photosynthesis

Exam insight: common misconceptions ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“Photosynthesis releases energy.” Photosynthesis absorbs light energy and uses it to make glucose.

“Photosynthesis is the term given to Photosynthesis and respiration are two different processes. Both
respiration in plants.” happen in plant cells.

“Plants photosynthesise to make Oxygen is made in photosynthesis, but it is only a by-product. The
oxygen.” aim of photosynthesis is to make glucose.

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4.1.2 Rate of photosynthesis

What does a limiting factor do?
Restrict rate of photosynthesis (stop from increasing) if in low levels.

Describe and explain how temperature affects rate of photosynthesis

1. As temperature increases, rate increases (so temperature =limiting factor)

● As enzymes controlling photosynthesis gain kinetic energy
2. Above an optimum temperature, rate decreases
● As enzymes denature (active site changes shape)

Describe and explain how light intensity affects rate of photosynthesis

1. As light intensity increases, rate increases (so light intensity = limiting factor)
● As light provides energy needed for photosynthesis
2. Above a certain light intensity, rate stops increasing
● Another factor is limiting eg. temperature / CO2

Describe and explain how CO2 concentration affects rate of photosynthesis

1. As CO2 conc. increases, rate increases (so CO2 conc. = limiting factor)
● As CO2 is a reactant / raw material needed for photosynthesis
2. Above a certain CO2 conc., rate stops increasing
● Another factor is limiting eg. temperature / light intensity

How does chlorophyll affect the rate of photosynthesis?

Affects how much light energy can be absorbed

What law describes the relationship between distance of a light source

from a plant and light intensity? (HT only)
Inverse square law:

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How can you interpret graphs of photosynthesis rate showing two or three
factors, to identify which is the limiting factor? (HT only)
If increasing a particular factor increases
rate of photosynthesis, that factor is the
limiting factor, for example:

● A/B/C/D before point X, limiting factor

= light intensity
● Limiting factors after point X: A = CO2
conc. or temperature (need to test
higher temp and CO2 to confirm),
B = temperature, C / D = CO2 conc.

How can farmers use their

knowledge of limiting factors to increase their profits? (HT only)

● Remove limiting factors → gain maximum rate of photosynthesis → increase plant yield
● Profit from extra yield must be greater than the costs of providing conditions

Exam insight: common misconception ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“Water is a limiting factor It is not considered a limiting factor as the volume needed is very small and water
in photosynthesis.” shortages affect other processes in the plant before affecting photosynthesis.

Example application questions 📈

What factor is most likely to limit the rate of ● Carbon dioxide concentration
photosynthesis in plants in a greenhouse on a ● As atmospheric carbon dioxide conc. is very low
hot summer’s day? Explain why. (4) ● Temperature is high
● Light intensity is high

The graph shows the conc. of CO2 in the air in a X-Y

greenhouse full of tomato plants over 24 hours. ● Respiration (releases CO2) occurs
● No photosynthesis as no light

Y-Z
● Photosynthesis occurs as there is light
● Photosynthesis rate greater than respiration rate

Explain why the conc. of CO2 in the air increased

between X & Y and decreased between Y & Z. (4)

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A greenhouse owner wants to grow lettuces as ● 21.5 / 22 C
quickly and cheaply as possible in winter. ● Maximum rate of photosynthesis
● Most economical / cheapest heating

At what temperature should he keep his

greenhouse in order to do this? (3)

Required practical activity 5

Investigate the effect of light intensity on the rate of photosynthesis using an aquatic organism eg. pondweed

Describe a method to investigate the effect of light intensity on rate of

photosynthesis

1. How to vary light ● Change distance of white light source from pondweed eg. 10, 20, 30, 40 cm
intensity ● Leave for 5 mins for pondweed to acclimatise to new light intensity

2. How to control ● Pondweed - use same length of pondweed or same pondweed

other variables (to ● Temperature - put tube in a (thermostatically controlled) water bath OR
make experiment put beaker of water between lamp / tube to absorb heat produced by light
valid) ● CO2 conc. - use set conc. of sodium hydrogen carbonate solution

3. How to measure ● Count number bubbles of oxygen released OR collect gas in a syringe
photosynthesis rate ● In a set period of time eg. one minute (divide volume by time to get rate)

Repeat 3 x at each light intensity to enable identification of anomalies and calculate a mean.

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State the independent, dependent and control variables

Independent Distance of pondweed from light source (light intensity)

Dependent Volume of O2 released / number of O2 bubbles produced per minute (photosynthesis rate)

Control ● Temperature
● CO2 supply / concentration of sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
● Pondweed (or other aquatic organism) - length / type
● Colour of light

Example application questions 📈

Why place pondweed in a solution of sodium ● To provide carbon dioxide
hydrogen carbonate? (1) ● So that carbon dioxide is not a limiting factor

How could you test bubbles to show they ● Add a burning splint - it will burn more brightly
contained oxygen? (1)

Why is counting bubbles not an accurate way of ● Bubbles are different sizes
measuring volume of oxygen produced? (1) ● Bubbles can be easy to miss (move too fast)

How could the method be improved to measure ● Measure volume of O2 released in a gas syringe
the rate of photosynthesis more accurately? (2) ● Increase length of time

What is the advantage of using an LED light ● Does not emit a lot of infrared / thermal radiation
source? (2) ● So temperature is controlled
● Temperature affects rate of photosynthesis as
photosynthesis is controlled by enzymes

How could you modify the experiment to
investigate the effect of CO2 / temperature /
wavelength of light on the rate of
photosynthesis? (4)
● Carbon dioxide - use different concentrations of
sodium hydrogencarbonate solution
● Temperature - different temperature water baths
● Wavelength - different coloured filters over bulb
● Control distance from light source
● Control type / length of pondweed

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4.1.3 Uses of glucose from photosynthesis

Describe the uses of glucose produced in photosynthesis

1. Used for respiration → to release energy

2. Converted into insoluble starch → for storage
3. Used to produce fat / oil (lipids) → for energy storage
4. Used to produce cellulose → strengthen cell wall
5. Used to produce amino acids → for protein synthesis
● Combined with nitrate ions from soil to form amino acids

Exam insight: common misconception ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“Glucose is used for It is, but this is too vague. Use the acronym ‘SCARF’ to remember the specific uses
growth.” of glucose - starch, cellulose, amino acids, respiration, fats (and oils)

Example application questions 📈

Explain why a leaf left in a cupboard ● Starch has been converted to glucose
with no light for 2 days did contain ● So glucose can be used for respiration / to release energy
glucose but did not contain starch. (3) ● As no light to make glucose by photosynthesis

TMV can cause plants to produce less
chlorophyll. Explain why plants with
TMV have stunted growth. (4)
● Lack of chlorophyll reduces photosynthesis
● So less glucose made
● Glucose needed for respiration
● So less energy released for growth
● Glucose needed for making amino acids / proteins / cellulose
● So less amino acids / proteins / cellulose for growth

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4.2 Respiration
4.2.1 Aerobic and anaerobic respiration
Fundamental biological concept / principle 3

“The two essential reactions for life on Earth: photosynthesis and respiration from sections Photosynthetic
reaction and Aerobic and anaerobic respiration.”

Students should be able to recall and use this knowledge in questions that link different areas of the
specification in either paper.

What is cellular respiration?

● A series of chemical reactions that release / transfer energy from glucose

● Occurs continuously in all living cells
● Exothermic reaction

Describe how energy released in respiration is used

● Chemical reactions to build larger molecules (eg. metabolism) There are many others,
● Keeping warm (birds and mammals only) eg. active transport
● Movement eg. muscle contraction in animals

State the word and symbol equation for aerobic respiration

📍Occurs in mitochondria

State word equations for anaerobic respiration in animals, plants & yeast
📍Occurs in cytoplasm

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Compare the processes of aerobic and anaerobic respiration

Aerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration Anaerobic respiration

(all cells) in animal cells in plant / yeast cells

Reactants Oxygen + glucose Glucose only; no oxygen

Oxidation of glucose Complete Incomplete

Relative amount of energy High - lots per glucose Low - little per glucose molecule
transferred molecule

Products CO2 and water Lactic acid Ethanol and CO2

Explain the economic importance of anaerobic respiration in yeast

● Fermentation (anaerobic respiration in yeast) is used in…

○ Production of bread → CO2 makes dough rise
○ Production of alcoholic drinks → ethanol is a type of alcohol

Exam insight: common misconceptions ❌

Misconception Why is this wrong?

“Respiration makes / creates energy.” Respiration releases, or transfers energy. Energy can’t be created.

“Respiration is breathing.” Breathing is bringing air in / out of the lungs. Respiration is a series
of chemical reactions in cells to release energy.

“Respiration only occurs in animal cells.” Respiration happens in every cell, including plant cells.

Example application questions 📈

Explain why death of a pond snail in a test tube causes ● Snail is being decayed / decomposed
CO2 concentration to increase. (3) ● By decomposers / bacteria
● Respiration (of decomposers) releases CO2

A student set up six boiling tubes as shown below. ● Tube E

● Most carbon dioxide
● Only respiration occurring

The indicator was pink at the start. If the amount of CO2

increased, it turned yellow. If it decreased, it turned
purple.
In which tube would the indicator be most yellow after
2 days? Explain your answer. (3)

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4.2.2 Response to exercise

Explain how the body reacts to increased energy demand during exercise

● Increased heart rate → increased blood flow to muscles / lungs

● Increased breathing rate and volume → more air / oxygen enters lungs
● To supply more more blood containing more oxygen (and glucose) to muscles
● For more aerobic respiration to release energy / to reduce anaerobic respiration & lactic acid build up

What happens when muscles are supplied with insufficient oxygen?

● Anaerobic respiration → oxidation of glucose is incomplete

● Causing a buildup of lactic acid which causes:
○ Oxygen debt
○ Muscles become fatigued and stop contracting efficiently (if activity long / vigorous)

What is oxygen debt? (HT only)

Amount of extra oxygen the body needs after exercise to react with lactic acid and remove it from cells

During recovery heart rate / breathing rate remain high to pay back oxygen debt (help remove lactic acid).

What is the role of the liver in recovering from vigorous exercise? (HT only)

1. Blood flowing through muscles transports lactic acid to the liver

2. Where it is converted back to glucose

Example application question 📈

A student made the following hypothesis
about the heart rate of smokers and
non-smokers during exercise.
“During exercise, the heart rate of
smokers increases more than the heart
rate of non-smokers.”
● Two large groups of people - non-smokers and smokers
● Get each person to do [named] exercise
● Control variables
○ Same type and length of exercise
○ Same age / gender
○ No health issues
● Record heart rate for each person before and after exercise

Design an investigation that would allow ● Calculate increase in heart rate for each person after

you to test this hypothesis. (6) ● Compare results for each group

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4.2.3 Metabolism
Fundamental biological concept / principle 4

“Metabolism is the sum of all the reactions happening in a cell or organism, in which molecules are made or
broken down from section Metabolism.”

Students should be able to recall and use this knowledge in questions that link different areas of the
specification in either paper.

What is metabolism?

Sum of all chemical reactions in a cell or the body Metabolic rate = rate of these reactions

How else do cells use energy transferred by respiration?

To continually carry out enzyme-controlled processes of metabolism that synthesise new molecules

Give examples of metabolic reactions

5 key groups, all covered in more detail in the relevant specification section but linked together here:

Smaller → 1 Many glucose molecules converted (joined together) into:

larger ● Starch (a storage molecule in plant cells)
molecules ● Glycogen (a storage molecule in animal cells)
● Cellulose (a component of plant cell walls)

2 1 glycerol molecule + 3 fatty acid molecules → a lipid molecule

3 Glucose + nitrate ions → amino acids → used to synthesise proteins

Larger → 4 Respiration
smaller
molecules 5 Break down of excess proteins to form urea for excretion

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AQA GCSE Biology Topic 4 Bioenergetics
Exam insight: common misconceptions
Misconception
“Metabolism is how quickly food is
broken down.”
Example application questions
Organisms A and B both keep a constant
body temperature. The surface area to
volume ratio is higher in organism A.
Explain why organism A’s metabolic rate
is greater. (4)
Plants convert glucose into starch, and
animals convert glucose into glycogen.
Explain why this is necessary. (2)
❌
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Why is this wrong?
Metabolism is the sum of all chemical reactions in a cell or
organism.
📈
● Larger surface area to volume ratio so lose heat more
quickly
● So need to generate more heat (to keep warm)
● So requires greater rate of respiration
● Respiration is a (large) part of metabolism
● Both storage molecules
● Converted back to glucose when energy needed
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