A R I Z O N A S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y · S C H O O L O F L I F E S C I E N C E S
BIO 181 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Comprehensive Review with Rationales
Topics: Cellular Respiration · Metabolism · Cell Division · Fermentation ·
Endomembrane System
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cellular Respiration — Phases, Location, and Purpose 2
3. Metabolism, Fermentation, and Energy 3
4. Endomembrane System and Organelles 4
,5. Mitosis, Meiosis, and Cell Division 4
6. Definitions and Key Terminology 5
ASU BIO 181 · Arizona State University Page 1
,ASU BIO 181 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CELLULAR RESPIRATION
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cellular Respiration — Phases, Location, and Purpose
1 What are the 3 phases of the cellular respiration process?
A Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain
B Glycolysis, fermentation, and oxidative phosphorylation
C The Krebs cycle, the Calvin cycle, and the electron transport chain
D Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and chemiosmosis
Why A is correct: Cellular respiration consists of three main phases: glycolysis (in the
cytosol), the citric acid cycle (in the mitochondrial matrix), and the electron transport chain
(across the inner mitochondrial membrane).
B — Fermentation is an anaerobic alternative, not a phase of aerobic respiration.
C — The Calvin cycle is part of photosynthesis, not respiration.
D — Chemiosmosis is the mechanism by which ATP is generated during the ETC, not a
separate phase.
, 2 Where in the cell does the glycolysis part of cellular respiration occur?
A The cytosol
B The mitochondrial matrix
C The inner mitochondrial membrane
D The nucleus
Why A is correct: Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol (cytoplasm) of the cell, outside the
mitochondria.
B — The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
C — The ETC occurs across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
D — The nucleus is not involved in glycolysis.
3 What is the glycolysis part of cellular respiration's purpose?
A A molecule of glucose is split to release energy
B To generate a pool of chemical energy (ATP, NADH, FADH₂)
C To produce 32 ATP
D To oxidize pyruvate to acetyl-CoA
Why A is correct: Glycolysis splits one glucose molecule (6-carbon) into two pyruvate
molecules (3-carbon), releasing a small amount of energy captured as ATP and NADH.
B — This describes the purpose of the Krebs cycle.
C — This describes the ATP yield of the ETC.
D — Pyruvate oxidation occurs between glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
BIO 181 Exam 2
Practice Question Bank
Comprehensive Review with Rationales
Topics: Cellular Respiration · Metabolism · Cell Division · Fermentation ·
Endomembrane System
Edition 1 · August 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Cellular Respiration — Phases, Location, and Purpose 2
3. Metabolism, Fermentation, and Energy 3
4. Endomembrane System and Organelles 4
,5. Mitosis, Meiosis, and Cell Division 4
6. Definitions and Key Terminology 5
ASU BIO 181 · Arizona State University Page 1
,ASU BIO 181 EXAM 2 PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & CELLULAR RESPIRATION
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is. Items marked NEEDS RATIONALE had limited source detail; treat those as flags
for independent review.
Cellular Respiration — Phases, Location, and Purpose
1 What are the 3 phases of the cellular respiration process?
A Glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain
B Glycolysis, fermentation, and oxidative phosphorylation
C The Krebs cycle, the Calvin cycle, and the electron transport chain
D Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle, and chemiosmosis
Why A is correct: Cellular respiration consists of three main phases: glycolysis (in the
cytosol), the citric acid cycle (in the mitochondrial matrix), and the electron transport chain
(across the inner mitochondrial membrane).
B — Fermentation is an anaerobic alternative, not a phase of aerobic respiration.
C — The Calvin cycle is part of photosynthesis, not respiration.
D — Chemiosmosis is the mechanism by which ATP is generated during the ETC, not a
separate phase.
, 2 Where in the cell does the glycolysis part of cellular respiration occur?
A The cytosol
B The mitochondrial matrix
C The inner mitochondrial membrane
D The nucleus
Why A is correct: Glycolysis occurs in the cytosol (cytoplasm) of the cell, outside the
mitochondria.
B — The Krebs cycle occurs in the mitochondrial matrix.
C — The ETC occurs across the inner mitochondrial membrane.
D — The nucleus is not involved in glycolysis.
3 What is the glycolysis part of cellular respiration's purpose?
A A molecule of glucose is split to release energy
B To generate a pool of chemical energy (ATP, NADH, FADH₂)
C To produce 32 ATP
D To oxidize pyruvate to acetyl-CoA
Why A is correct: Glycolysis splits one glucose molecule (6-carbon) into two pyruvate
molecules (3-carbon), releasing a small amount of energy captured as ATP and NADH.
B — This describes the purpose of the Krebs cycle.
C — This describes the ATP yield of the ETC.
D — Pyruvate oxidation occurs between glycolysis and the Krebs cycle.
