BEACONHOUSE SCHOOL SYSTEM

Biology/5090

Compiled by: Ahmed Kalim Khan Niazi

Name:
(Topic: Enzymes)

Date: .

Question no 1:
Enzymes are biological catalysts. Fig. 1.1 shows how the enzyme, sucrase, breaks down a molecule of
sucrose.

Fig. 1.1
(a) Describe how sucrase catalyses the breakdown of sucrose. You should refer to Fig. 3.1 in your
answer.
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(b) Three enzymes, P, Q and R, were extracted from different regions of the alimentary canal of a
mammal. The effect of pH on the activity of the enzymes was investigated at 40 oC. The results are
shown in Fig. 1.2.

Fig. 1.2
(i) Explain why the investigation was carried out at 40 oC.
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(ii) Using information in Fig. 1.2, describe the effects of increasing pH on the rate of activity of
enzyme Q.
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(iii) Enzymes increase the rate of breakdown of different types of food substances in digestion.
Name enzymes P, Q and R.
P
Q
R

[3]

(c) Some baby foods are manufactured by pre-digesting foodstuffs containing carbohydrates, fats
and proteins with enzymes.
Describe the roles of different types of enzymes in preparing these baby foods.
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[Total: 15]

Question no 1:

EXAMINER REPORT

This question generated some excellent answers across the ability range especially with respect to
the identification and action of digestive enzymes in (b)(iii) and (c); other sections provided good
discrimination between the candidates.
(a) The lock and key model of enzyme action was well known as was the active site; it was encouraging
to note that very few thought that the enzyme and substrate had the same shape.
The Examiners did not expect to find the term complementary but they did accept anything that
conveyed this idea such as the sucrose and sucrase fit together. Some candidates were confused
over the role of water in the process or did not realise that the enzyme was unchanged at the end
and could be reused.
(b)
(i) Most candidates explained that 40 oC was the optimum temperature although simply stating that
it was close to body temperature needed further qualification. More able candidates also realised
that a constant temperature was important in an investigation into pH and that higher temperatures
would denature the enzyme.
(ii) The majority of candidates gained partial credit for identifying the optimum pH but many gave
generalised statements that were not supported by the use of figures from the graph. For example,
many candidates did not quote the figures for pH accurately when describing the effect of pH on the
activity of the enzyme.
(iii) The three enzymes were often identified correctly although some named substrates or gave
digestive juices instead of enzymes.
(c) Candidates showed a detailed knowledge of digestive enzymes and their substrates and products;
for example, the products of fat digestion were often stated as fatty acids and glycerol, rather than
one or the other. A small minority discussed infant digestion in very general terms and why
predigestion was necessary without referring to specific enzymes. Although carbohydrase was
credited as a general term for enzymes acting on carbohydrates, candidates who gave amylase did
not always state that this is specific to starch and not to carbohydrates in general.