Practice Exam 2
VCE Biology Units 1 & 2 | Photosynthesis, Cellular Respiration & Energy Transformations
✎ Complete ALL questions on paper before opening the Model Answers lesson. No notes. Aim for 1 minute per mark.
MULTIPLE CHOICE
Question 1 (1 mark)
The light-dependent reactions of photosynthesis occur in the:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Stroma
B) Cytoplasm
C) Thylakoid membranes
D) Matrix
Question 2 (1 mark)
The overall equation for photosynthesis is:
✎ Circle your answer
A) C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O
B) 6CO₂ + 6H₂O → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂
C) C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₃H₄O₃ + ATP
D) ADP + Pi → ATP + H₂O
Question 3 (1 mark)
In the Calvin cycle, CO₂ is fixed by combining with:
✎ Circle your answer
A) ATP
B) NADPH
C) RuBisCO and RuBP
D) Glucose
Question 4 (1 mark)
The products of the light-dependent reactions used in the Calvin cycle are:
✎ Circle your answer
A) CO₂ and H₂O
B) Glucose and O₂
C) ATP and NADPH
D) ADP and NADP⁺
Question 5 (1 mark)
Glycolysis occurs in the:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Mitochondria
B) Cytoplasm
C) Nucleus
D) Chloroplast
Question 6 (1 mark)
The net ATP yield from glycolysis (per glucose) is:
✎ Circle your answer
A) 2
B) 4
C) 36
D) 38
Question 7 (1 mark)
In aerobic respiration, the final electron acceptor in the electron transport chain is:
✎ Circle your answer
A) NAD⁺
B) ADP
C) O₂
D) CO₂
Question 8 (1 mark)
Fermentation in yeast produces:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Lactic acid
B) Ethanol and CO₂
C) Acetyl-CoA
D) ATP and CO₂
Question 9 (1 mark)
Where does the Krebs cycle occur?
✎ Circle your answer
A) Inner mitochondrial membrane
B) Mitochondrial matrix
C) Cytoplasm
D) Thylakoid
Question 10 (1 mark)
The molecule that enters the Krebs cycle from pyruvate breakdown is:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Acetyl-CoA
B) Oxaloacetate
C) NADH
D) Citrate
Question 11 (1 mark)
Which of the following is an example of an anabolic reaction?
✎ Circle your answer
A) Glycolysis
B) Protein synthesis from amino acids
C) Hydrolysis of ATP
D) Cellular respiration
Question 12 (1 mark)
The pigment that absorbs light energy in photosynthesis is:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Haemoglobin
B) Chlorophyll
C) Carotene only
D) Cytochrome c
Question 13 (1 mark)
In anaerobic respiration in animals, pyruvate is converted to:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Ethanol
B) Acetyl-CoA
C) Lactic acid
D) CO₂
Question 14 (1 mark)
The proton gradient across the inner mitochondrial membrane drives:
✎ Circle your answer
A) The Krebs cycle
B) ATP synthase (chemiosmosis)
C) Glycolysis
D) The Calvin cycle
Question 15 (1 mark)
Factors affecting the rate of photosynthesis include:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Light intensity only
B) Temperature only
C) Light intensity, CO₂ concentration and temperature
D) O₂ concentration and temperature
Question 16 (1 mark)
The theoretical maximum ATP yield from complete aerobic oxidation of one glucose molecule is approximately:
✎ Circle your answer
A) 2
B) 4
C) 30–32
D) 100
Question 17 (1 mark)
Which of the following is reduced during the light reactions?
✎ Circle your answer
A) NADP⁺ to NADPH
B) NADPH to NADP⁺
C) ADP to ATP
D) O₂ to H₂O
Question 18 (1 mark)
Photosystem II is involved in:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Carbon fixation
B) Photolysis of water, releasing O₂
C) The Calvin cycle
D) ATP hydrolysis
Question 19 (1 mark)
At high concentrations, which gas inhibits photosynthesis by competing with CO₂ for RuBisCO?
✎ Circle your answer
A) N₂
B) O₂ (photorespiration)
C) H₂
D) Ar
Question 20 (1 mark)
The term ‘compensation point’ in photosynthesis refers to:
✎ Circle your answer
A) Maximum rate of photosynthesis
B) Light intensity at which photosynthesis rate equals respiration rate
C) CO₂ concentration for maximum growth
D) Temperature optimum for enzymes
SHORT ANSWER
Question 21 (4 marks)
Describe the light-dependent stage of photosynthesis. Include the roles of photosystems I and II and the products formed.
✎ Write your answer on paper
Question 22 (4 marks)
Outline the stages of aerobic cellular respiration, stating where each occurs and what is produced.
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Question 23 (4 marks)
Explain why anaerobic respiration is less efficient than aerobic respiration.
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Question 24 (4 marks)
A student shines light of different intensities on a plant and measures the rate of O₂ production. Describe what results you would expect and explain any limiting factors.
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Question 25 (4 marks)
Explain the role of NADH and FADH₂ in the electron transport chain.
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Question 26 (4 marks)
Describe how temperature affects the rate of photosynthesis. Explain in terms of enzyme activity.
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Question 27 (4 marks)
Compare C3 and C4 plants in terms of carbon fixation. Include an advantage of C4 plants in hot, dry conditions.
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Question 28 (4 marks)
Explain the role of ATP in cellular metabolism.
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EXTENDED RESPONSE
Extended Response 1
Question 29 (4 marks)
Extended Response 1 (a)
A student measures the rate of O₂ production by aquatic plants at different CO₂ concentrations (sodium hydrogen carbonate concentrations: 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 2%, 4%) at constant light and temperature.
Predict the shape of the graph and explain the result at each stage.
✎ Write your answer on paper
Extended Response 1
Question 30 (2 marks)
Extended Response 1 (b)
Explain why the student uses sodium hydrogen carbonate (NaHCO₃) rather than CO₂ gas directly.
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Extended Response 1
Question 31 (3 marks)
Extended Response 1 (c)
The student notices that at the highest light intensity, the rate does not continue to increase. Suggest two possible explanations.
✎ Write your answer on paper
Extended Response 2: Cellular Respiration
Question 32 (5 marks)
Extended Response 2: Cellular Respiration (a)
Explain the process of chemiosmosis in the mitochondria, including the role of the electron transport chain and ATP synthase.
✎ Write your answer on paper
Extended Response 2: Cellular Respiration
Question 33 (3 marks)
Extended Response 2: Cellular Respiration (b)
Explain why muscles can sustain anaerobic respiration for only a short time.
✎ Write your answer on paper
✓ Finished? Open the next lesson – Model Answers – to mark your work.
