All organisms respire to release energy from energy-rich molecules such as glucose.
Some factory workers in the early 20th century were exposed to chemical X and experienced serious side-effects.
Some of the effects of exposure to chemical X are:
• decreased production of ATP
• increased lipid metabolism, with weight loss
• increased production of pyruvate and lactate
• excess heat energy release, causing an increase in body temperature, which can be fatal.
Chemical X increases the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane to protons (hydrogen ions), causing some protons to leak out into the matrix.

Q: What topic does this question test?

This question tests Energy and respiration in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 11 marks.

Q: Which exam paper is this question from?

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology May/June 2021 examination, Paper 4 Variant 1 (9700_s21_qp_41.pdf).

Question

All organisms respire to release energy from energy-rich molecules such as glucose.
Some factory workers in the early 20th century were exposed to chemical X and experienced serious side-effects.
Some of the effects of exposure to chemical X are:
• decreased production of ATP
• increased lipid metabolism, with weight loss
• increased production of pyruvate and lactate
• excess heat energy release, causing an increase in body temperature, which can be fatal.
Chemical X increases the permeability of the inner mitochondrial membrane to protons (hydrogen ions), causing some protons to leak out into the matrix.

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