Science lesson plan · 11th grade (Year 12 in England) · 45 minutes
Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain
Cells, genetics and evolution
CCSS NGSS.HS-LS1-7England: A level Biology: Respiration (extension)
Objective and success criteria
Students will: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain.
- I can answer questions on today's skill on my own, without help.
- I can explain each step and say why it works.
- I can check my answer and spot a mistake.
Before and after
Needs first: Aerobic and anaerobic respiration equations compared
Leads to: the next skill in this area.
Materials: Microscope images or slides, Cell diagrams, Mini whiteboards, A diagram or short video clip of the idea, Printed student sheet (below).
Warm-up · 5 min
- Quick retrieval from earlier learning (Aerobic and anaerobic respiration equations compared). Students answer on mini whiteboards.
- Show answers together and note who needs support in the main task.
- Which is the balanced symbol equation for aerobic respiration? (C₆H₁₂O₆ + O₂ → CO₂ + H₂O / C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O / C₆H₁₂O₆ → 2C₂H₅OH + 2CO₂ / C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6CO₂ → 6O₂ + 6H₂O) → C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂OPrompt: Aerobic respiration uses glucose and oxygen.
- Which type of respiration does this describe: it uses glucose? (aerobic only / anaerobic only / both) → bothPrompt: Does it need oxygen?
- A cell respires 2 molecules of glucose aerobically. Using C₆H₁₂O₆ + 6O₂ → 6CO₂ + 6H₂O, how many molecules of carbon dioxide are produced? → 12Prompt: Look at the ratio in the balanced equation.
Hook · 5 min
- Show a microscope image of cells and ask what students think they are looking at.
- Share the objective: Glycolysis, the Krebs cycle and the electron transport chain. Read the success criteria together.
I do: model it · 10 min
- Work through the example out loud, saying why you do each step, not just what you do.
- Example: Which stage of cellular respiration: splits glucose into two pyruvate molecules?
- Step 1: Glycolysis happens in the cytoplasm: glucose is split into two pyruvate, making a small net gain of ATP; no oxygen needed.
- Step 2: So the answer is: glycolysis
- Answer: glycolysis
- Pause after each step and ask a student to say what comes next.
We do: guided practice · 10 min
- Do these together. Students try each step on whiteboards before you reveal it.
- Use the hints as prompts rather than giving the answer.
- Which stage of cellular respiration: uses oxygen as the final electron acceptor, forming water? (glycolysis / Krebs (citric acid) cycle / electron transport chain) → electron transport chainPrompt: Only the first stage happens outside the mitochondria.
- Why do muscle cells contain many mitochondria with lots of folded inner membrane? (The folds give more space for the electron transport chain, making more ATP / The folds stop oxygen entering / The folds carry out photosynthesis / The folds store glucose) → The folds give more space for the electron transport chain, making more ATPPrompt: Where is the electron transport chain?
You do: independent practice · 10 min
- Students work on the student sheet. Circulate and check the first two answers of every student early.
- Students who finish: write a question of their own for a partner, with the answer.
The 8 questions are on the student sheet below, with answers in the key.
Exit ticket · 5 min
- Two questions on their own. Sort answers into got it / nearly / not yet to plan the next lesson.
- What is ATP? (a waste product / a type of enzyme / a molecule that carries energy for use in cell processes / a hormone) → a molecule that carries energy for use in cell processesPrompt: It stands for adenosine triphosphate.
- Which stage of cellular respiration: happens in the mitochondrial matrix? (glycolysis / Krebs (citric acid) cycle / electron transport chain) → Krebs (citric acid) cyclePrompt: Only the first stage happens outside the mitochondria.
Watch out for
- Everyday meanings of words getting in the way of the science meaning: define key words explicitly.
- Remembering facts without the reason: ask "why?" and "what is the evidence?"
Support and stretch
Support
- Review first: Aerobic and anaerobic respiration equations compared.
- Use concrete materials: microscope images or slides.
- Give the first step of each question, or a partly worked example to finish.
- Pair with a confident partner for the guided practice.
Stretch
- Explain a common mistake in writing and how to fix it.
- Write a word problem that uses today's skill, then solve a partner's.
Homework and more practice
Free online practice with hints and printable worksheets for this skill: eurekami.com/science/grade-11.
Free lesson plan from eurekami.com/lesson-plan-builder