AQA · GCSE · Biology
Course version: 8461 · Version from Sept 2018
The energy transferred by respiration in cells is used by the organism for…
Full specification wording
Metabolism: The energy transferred by respiration in cells is used by the organism for the continual enzyme controlled processes of metabolism that synthesise new molecules.
Respiration releases energy from glucose in every living cell.
Checked against the AQA 8461 specification (opens in a new tab) on .
- Point 3 of 4
- 3 key terms
Study notes
From the checked teaching notes for this specification point.
The idea
Respiration releases energy from glucose in every living cell. That energy is not wasted: it powers metabolism, the sum of all the enzyme-controlled reactions in an organism. Many of these reactions are synthesis reactions, building large molecules from smaller ones. For example, a liver cell respires glucose to release energy, then uses that energy to join glucose molecules into glycogen for storage. The reactions are continual because cells constantly build and replace molecules. Each step needs a specific enzyme, so temperature and pH affect metabolism. Energy is transferred, not created, so respiration links food to growth, repair and storage.
What earns the marks
- Respiration transfers energy from glucose; this energy is used to drive metabolic reactions rather than being released as heat only.
- Metabolism is the sum of all enzyme-controlled reactions in a cell or organism.
- Many metabolic reactions are synthesis reactions that build larger molecules from smaller ones.
- The reactions are continual because molecules are constantly built, replaced and broken down.
- Enzymes control each metabolic reaction, so metabolism depends on enzyme activity.
- An example is the synthesis of glycogen from glucose in liver and muscle cells using energy from respiration.
Common mistakes and how to put them right
Saying respiration makes energy.
Put it right by writing that respiration transfers energy for metabolism.
Describing metabolism as only breakdown.
Put it right by stating that synthesis of new molecules is a major part.
Thinking metabolism happens only in animals.
Put it right by applying the idea to plants, animals and microorganisms.
Exam tips
- Link respiration to metabolism in one sentence: respiration transfers the energy that enzyme-controlled metabolic reactions use.
- Name a specific synthesis reaction, such as glucose to glycogen, to show understanding rather than repeating the word metabolism.
- Use the phrase enzyme-controlled when describing metabolic reactions, because enzymes are part of the specification statement.
Try the lesson
The start of the Metabolism: The energy transferred by respiration in cells is used by the organism for the continual enzyme controlled processes of metabolism that synthesise new molecules. lesson, made from checked teaching notes for this specification point.
Have a go first
Which process transfers the energy required for the enzyme-controlled reactions of metabolism?
Listen
Respiration releases energy from glucose in every living cell. That energy is not wasted: it powers metabolism, the sum of all the enzyme-controlled reactions in an organism. Many of these reactions are synthesis reactions, building large molecules from smaller ones. For example, a liver cell respires glucose to release energy, then uses that energy to join glucose molecules into glycogen for storage. The reactions are continual because cells constantly build and replace molecules. Each step needs a specific enzyme, so temperature and pH affect metabolism. Energy is transferred, not created, so respiration links food to growth, repair and storage. A strong answer earns marks for these points. Respiration transfers energy from glucose; this energy is used to drive metabolic reactions rather than being released as heat only. Metabolism is the sum of all enzyme-controlled reactions in a cell or organism. Many metabolic reactions are synthesis reactions that build larger molecules from smaller ones. The reactions are continual because molecules are constantly built, replaced and broken down. A common slip: Saying respiration makes energy: energy is transferred from glucose, not created. Instead, writing that respiration transfers energy for metabolism. Exam tip: Link respiration to metabolism in one sentence: respiration transfers the energy that enzyme-controlled metabolic reactions use.
See it
Key words
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Cellular respiration and metabolism
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Synthesis of biological molecules
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Enzyme-controlled reactions
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See every definition
- Cellular respiration and metabolism
- Respiration transfers energy from glucose, and this energy is used by the organism for the enzyme-controlled processes of metabolism.
- Synthesis of biological molecules
- Metabolic reactions that build larger molecules from smaller ones, such as joining glucose molecules into glycogen for storage.
- Enzyme-controlled reactions
- Reactions that each need a specific enzyme, so temperature and pH affect metabolism.
Label the diagram
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