Lipids & amino acids in respiration (WJEC)

This lesson describes how lipids and amino acids are used in respiration, as an alternative to glucose. The PowerPoint and accompanying resources have been designed to cover the content of topic 3 point (f) of A2 unit 3 as set out in the WJEC A-level biology specification.

The lesson begins with a challenge, where the students have to recognise the key term substrate using either 1 or 2 descriptions. The definition of a respiratory substrate is provided and students will learn that although glucose is the chief respiratory substrate, lipids and amino acids can be metabolised to generate molecules of ATP. A quick quiz round is used to introduce the relative energy value per gram of carbohydrate and then this is used as a reference value for the remainder of the lesson. Students will learn that the energy value is higher for lipids and this is explained, making reference to the proton gradient in the final stage of aerobic respiration. The final part of the lesson considers amino acids and makes a link to deamination, and explores how the entry point into respiration depends upon the keto acid which was formed.

The lesson contains multiple understanding checks and all answers are embedded into the PowerPoint to allow students to assess their progress.