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Leaving Cert Biology: Respiration

How often Respiration comes up on the Biology papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Biology course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Respiration, Higher Level(6 marks)

Quick ones on Respiration.

(a)Where does glycolysis take place?
  1. Mitochondrial matrix
  2. Cytosol
  3. Stroma
(b)Product of glycolysis?
  1. Ethanol
  2. Acetyl CoA
  3. Pyruvate
(c)Final electron acceptor in aerobic respiration?
  1. Oxygen
  2. NAD
  3. Carbon dioxide
Show the answers

(a) Cytosol

(b) Pyruvate

(c) Oxygen

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Respiration.

Higher Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q11
2025Q3
2024Q5, Q13
2023Q9, Q12
2022Q4
2021Q13
2019Q8
2018Q7, Q12
2017Q5
2016Q11

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Respiration questions

Respiration, 2 marks

Hydrogen (electron) carrier used in respiration?

  1. NADP
  2. ADP
  3. NAD
Show the answer

NAD

NAD+ picks up electrons and hydrogen ions to form NADH, carrying them to the electron transport chain to make ATP. Photosynthesis uses NADP+.

Respiration, 2 marks

Location of the electron transport chain?

  1. Cytosol
  2. Inner mitochondrial membrane
  3. Outer mitochondrial membrane
Show the answer

Inner mitochondrial membrane

The inner membrane is folded into cristae, giving lots of space for the chain. Oxygen is used here, which is why stage 2 needs oxygen.

Respiration, 2 marks

Formed when oxygen accepts electrons and protons?

  1. Water
  2. Carbon dioxide
  3. Lactic acid
Show the answer

Water

At the end of the electron transport chain, oxygen combines with electrons and H+ to form water. That's why respiration produces water.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q13
2025Q13
2024Q12
2023Q4
2022Q2, Q9
2021Q16
2019Q13
2018Q13
2017Q8, Q14
2016Q13

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Respiration questions

Respiration, 2 marks

What are the raw materials for aerobic respiration?

  1. Carbon dioxide and water
  2. Glucose and carbon dioxide
  3. Glucose and oxygen
Show the answer

Glucose and oxygen

Word equation: glucose plus oxygen gives carbon dioxide plus water plus energy. It is the reverse of photosynthesis.

Respiration, 2 marks

What are the products of aerobic respiration?

  1. Alcohol, oxygen and energy
  2. Carbon dioxide, water and energy
  3. Glucose, oxygen and energy
Show the answer

Carbon dioxide, water and energy

You breathe out the carbon dioxide and water vapour, and the energy released is used for all the work of the cell.

Respiration, 2 marks

Respiration that takes place without oxygen is called?

  1. Anaerobic respiration
  2. Aerobic respiration
  3. Photosynthesis
Show the answer

Anaerobic respiration

An means without, aero means air. Anaerobic respiration releases far less energy from each glucose molecule.

Other Biology topics

All of Leaving Cert Biology