Respiration: past paper questions
Real questions on respiration
The newest 20 of 53 written questions, plus 72 multiple-choice. Open one to see it on the real paper.
- 5090/22 · October/November 2025 · Q6b(i)[4]
Explain how an infection with Vibrio cholerae causes diarrhoea.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2025 · Q2b(i)[4]
Explain why shrews need more oxygen when they dive under water which is very cold.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2025 · Q4b(i)[3]
Suggest the effects of bronchoconstriction on a person.
See it on the paper → - 5090/22 · May/June 2025 · Q5a(iii)[4]
Explain how piles of dead plant vegetation can have temperatures much higher than the surrounding environment.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4a(ii)[2]
Name the process which produces carbon dioxide in living organisms and state how carbon dioxide is excreted by humans. (ii)
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2024 · Q4b[4]
The volume of carbon dioxide excreted varies over a 24-hour period and the factors that affect this are different for animals and plants. Suggest and explain reasons why the volume of carbon dioxide excreted varies for both animals and plants. animals plants
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2024 · Q5b(ii)[1]
In graph E the biomass increases as shown in Fig. 5.2. Indicate using the letter M the part of graph E where bacteria are reproducing most rapidly.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q7a(ii)[2]
Write the balanced symbol equation for the aerobic respiration of glucose, C 6 H 12 O 6 .
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2023 · Q7b[2]
The plant experiences changing weather conditions including: high temperature heavy rain high winds low humidity State the weather condition that may lead to a root hair cell respiring anaerobically and explain your answer. weather condition explanation
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2022 · Q5b(i)[1]
Name the process used to release energy in the muscles of the forelimb when the lion starts to run after its prey.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · October/November 2022 · Q5b(ii)[2]
Explain why the lion can only run at maximum speed for a short time. Section B Answer both questions in this section. Write your answers in the spaces provided.
See it on the paper → - 5090/61 · October/November 2022 · Q3a[5]
Construct line graphs of this data on the same axes on the grid below. Join the points with straight lines.
See it on the paper → - 5090/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1a(i)[1]
State what you would use to label the test-tubes. He followed this procedure: • add 15 cm 3 of 5% sucrose solution to test-tube A • add 9 cm 3 of 5% sucrose solution and 6 cm 3 of distilled water to test-tube B to produce 15 cm 3 of 3% sucrose solution • add 3 cm 3 of 5% sucrose solution and 12 cm 3 of distilled water...
See it on the paper → - 5090/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1a(ii)[1]
He measured the volumes of 5% sucrose solution and distilled water with a small measuring cylinder. Describe how he could ensure that the dilutions produced were correct.
See it on the paper → - 5090/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1b(i)[4]
Complete the table using the information given. test-tube percentage sucrose solution after 5 minutes after 10 minutes A B C D
See it on the paper → - 5090/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1b(ii)[3]
Use his results to describe the effect of sucrose concentration on yeast growth.
See it on the paper → - 5090/62 · October/November 2022 · Q1b(iii)[1]
Suggest an explanation for the results in test-tube D.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2022 · Q2b(i)[1]
State the name of the chemical process that uses oxygen to release energy in the muscles.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2022 · Q2b(ii)[1]
Use the graph to determine the maximum volume of oxygen the man consumes in one minute.
See it on the paper → - 5090/21 · May/June 2022 · Q2b(iii)[3]
The graph shows that it is possible for the man to increase the intensity of his exercise beyond the point at which he has reached his maximum oxygen consumption. He can only do this for a short period of time. Explain why.
See it on the paper →
What examiners said
Many candidates could give the correct balanced equation and gained 2 marks. However, a significant number gave the correct equation for photosynthesis instead, so earned no marks.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/21 Q7(a)(ii) (Cambridge)
This question proved very challenging. Only a very small number of candidates realised that heavy rain would produce a waterlogged soil and this would be lacking in air or oxygen. Many answers referred to transpiration.
— Examiner report, October/November 2023, 5090/21 Q7(b) (Cambridge)
This question wanted candidates to appreciate that the lion could only respire anaerobically for a short period of time before lactic acid accumulated in the muscles causing muscle fatigue. This idea was explained in most of the answers.
— Examiner report, October/November 2022, 5090/21 Q5(b)(ii) (Cambridge)
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