Skip to main content
A-LevelBiologyEnergy and respirationFeb/Mar 2025Paper 4 Q810 Marks

(a) In the link reaction, a two-carbon acetyl group is produced from pyruvate. The acetyl group is transferred to coenzyme A to form acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-coA). State the terms used to summarise the two chemical changes that occur in the link reaction to produce an acetyl group from pyruvate. (b) Acetyl-coA combines with oxaloacetate in the Krebs cycle to form citrate. This reaction is catalysed by the enzyme citrate synthase. Acetyl-coA has a similar shape to succinyl-coA, one of the compounds made in a later part of the Krebs cycle. An experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of increasing the concentration of acetyl-coA on the activity of citrate synthase. The experiment was repeated, this time adding a solution of succinyl-coA. [Figure 8.1] shows the results of these experiments. With reference to Fig. 8.1, explain how succinyl-coA could help to regulate the Krebs cycle. (c) The coenzyme NAD plays an important role in respiration. Describe the role of NAD in the stages of aerobic respiration that occur in a mitochondrion.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is . This question tests the candidate's understanding of energy and respiration within the Biologysyllabus. The examiner's mark scheme requires...

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🔒

Unlock the Examiner's Answer

Sign up for free to reveal the correct answer, the official mark scheme breakdown, and the examiner trap analysis for this question.

Sign Up Free to Unlock →

Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep

About This A-Level Biology Question

This structured question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology (9700) Feb/Mar 2025 examination, Paper 4 Variant 2. It tests the topic of Energy and respiration and is worth 10 marks.

Oracle Prep provides AI-powered practice for all Cambridge O-Level and A-Level subjects. Our platform includes topic predictions with 87.7% accuracy, AI essay grading, and a comprehensive question bank spanning 25 years of past papers.

© 2026 Oracle Prep — The AI-Powered Cambridge Exam Engine