Connect respiration energy with growth and cell control
Complete all seven syllabus energy uses.
Section 12.1 · Respiration
Exam scope and assessment notes
Core and Extended · Biology 0970, 2026–2028. Use the stated specimen features and evidence. Diagrams are schematic. Written practice is self-checked; human subject-teacher review, supervised practical competence and cumulative assessment remain pending. Cambridge states that IGCSE 0970 has the same subject content as IGCSE 0610, with 9–1 grading. This StudyForA pathway maps the 2026–2028 syllabus only. This 9–1 graded qualification is available only in a limited number of administrative zones. Confirm that your centre can enter you for this code and exam series with Cambridge International. Cambridge has published a separate syllabus for 2029. StudyForA has not reconciled that version yet; this page supports exams in 2026, 2027 and 2028 only.
Before you begin
- Recall cell processes, enzymes and the distinction between gas exchange and breathing.
Work on paper. Try each question before revealing help, and explain why your method works.
Quick readiness check
Which material is assembled into proteins?
What you will learn
- Building and dividing cells
- Signals and the complete list
Connect respiration energy with growth and cell control
| Feature | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Building | Protein synthesis |
| New cells | Cell division |
| Increase | Growth |
| Signalling | Passage of nerve impulses |
| Also retrieve | Contraction · active transport · temperature maintenance |
Building and dividing cells
Protein synthesis joins amino acids into proteins and requires an energy supply. Those proteins can contribute to structures, enzymes and other cell functions. Respiration supplies energy for this work; it does not itself assemble every protein or turn oxygen directly into muscle tissue. Building material and energy supply are different needs.
Cell division also needs energy, as cells prepare and separate into new cells. Growth includes increases in cell number and cell size and the production of new biological material. Protein synthesis, cell division and growth overlap in a growing organism, but Cambridge lists them as distinct uses: give the named process requested rather than replacing all three with the vague word living.
Signals and the complete list
The passage of nerve impulses is another required use of energy. Nerve cells need energy to support their signalling processes, including maintenance of ion distributions. At this level no detailed electrical model or exact energy quantity is required. An impulse is a signal, not a parcel of glucose moving along a nerve or oxygen flowing through a neuron.
Combine these four uses with muscle contraction, active transport and maintenance of a constant body temperature to retrieve all seven. Plants carry out respiration and require energy for growth, division, synthesis and transport even though they lack animal nerves and muscles. The list describes uses across living organisms; every organism need not carry out every listed process.
Pause and explain
Which list completes contraction, active transport and temperature maintenance?
Worked example
A growing seedling forms new cells and proteins. Identify three relevant energy uses.
Show the worked solution
- New proteins involve protein synthesis.
- New cells involve division; the seedling is growing.
Answer Protein synthesis, cell division and growth.
Try a topic test
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Write your answer and reasoning first. Use a hint only if you are stuck. The model solution is for self-checking; your written work is not automatically marked.
State all seven required uses of energy in living organisms.
Give me a hint
Group movement, building, transport, signals and temperature.
Compare my reasoning
- Retrieve contraction, synthesis, division and growth.
- Add active transport, nerve impulses and temperature maintenance.
Muscle contraction; protein synthesis; cell division; active transport; growth; passage of nerve impulses; maintenance of a constant body temperature.
Look for these in your work
- Give all seven
- State processes rather than substances
Why does a growing plant need respiration although it has no muscles or animal nerves?
Give me a hint
Identify plant cell work that requires energy.
Compare my reasoning
- Plants build proteins and divide cells.
- Growth and active transport require energy too.
Respiration supplies energy for protein synthesis, cell division, growth and active transport in the plant.
Look for these in your work
- Name plant-relevant uses
- Keep respiration distinct from photosynthesis
Correct: a nerve impulse is glucose travelling down a nerve and growth is oxygen turning into new cells.
Give me a hint
Separate signals, materials and energy.
Compare my reasoning
- An impulse is a signal supported by energy-dependent cell processes.
- Growth needs material plus energy for building and division.
Nerve impulses are signals, not travelling glucose; growth uses building materials and energy released by respiration, rather than oxygen becoming cells.
Look for these in your work
- Correct both claims
- Connect cell work to released energy
Common mistakes
- Treating building material as an energy supply.
- Giving animal-specific processes to every organism.
What can you explain now?
Which list completes contraction, active transport and temperature maintenance?
Compare with the explanation
Protein synthesis, cell division, growth and passage of nerve impulses
Together these give all seven uses.
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Make it stick
Retrieve all seven energy uses without confusing them with reactants or products.
If you needed the solution, close it and solve the problem again from a blank page. A correct answer is stronger when you can explain the reason for each step.