Suggested answers to Exercise and Reading to

learn
Ch 4 Enzymes and metabolism
Exercise
Multiple-choice questions (p. 4-20)
1 B 2 C 3 B
4 D 5 A 6 C

Short questions (p. 4-21)

7 a True 1m b False; some enzymes work outside cells 1m c False; enzymes are proteins
1m d True 1m

8 a Any one from:

Volume of trypsin / enzyme solution / number of drops of enzyme added
Concentration of trypsin solution / albumin solution
Volume of buffer / number of drops of buffer added
Diameter / size of wells
Depth / volume of agar in each dish / diameter / size of dish 1m b i 6 + 9 + 8 + 11 / 4 = 8.5
1m ii Any one from: 1m
To give reliable results
To give more representative results
To minimize effects of atypical / freak results or errors / mistakes
iii As pH increases / it becomes more alkaline, the activity of trypsin increases.
OR 0.5m
As pH decreases / it becomes more acidic, the activity of trypsin decreases.
0.5m
Trypsin has the greatest activity /works best at pH 9. 0.5m
OR
The optimum pH for trypsin is at 9. 0.5m c A — Buffer at pH 4
B — Buffer at pH 9
C — Buffer at pH 7
OR
Boiled trypsin and buffer at pH 4, pH 7 and pH 9
OR
Water and buffer at pH 4, pH 7 and pH 9 (1m for all correct answers or no mark)
9 HKALE Biology 2004 I Q4 Main
concept:
1. name of inhibitor
2. evidence for deduction based on the graph / description of the enzymatic activity observed.
3. explanation of inhibitory action.
e.g. 1
1. non-competitive inhibitor / allosteric inhibitor (name)
2. inhibitory action of inhibitor cannot be overcome by increased substrate concentration
(deduction) OR lowers enzymatic activity irrespective of substrate concentration
(description).
3. because inhibitor does not bind to the active site (explanation). e.g. 2
1. irreversible inhibitor (name)
2. lowers enzymatic activity irrespective of substrate concentration (description).
3. binds to enzyme permanently / forms a covalent bond with enzyme (explanation).

Structured questions (p. 4-22)

10 a The rate of reaction increases when the polyphenol oxidase concentration increases.
1m b Rate of reaction = 1/18 = 0.056 1m
From the graph, the enzyme concentration is around 1.15%. 1m c Use boiled enzyme in the
tube. 1m d The enzyme does not work in acidic medium. / The enzyme is denatured in
acidic medium. 1m e The colour change becomes faster at start 0.5m as enzyme activity
increases with temperature. 0.5m
When temperature becomes too high, no further colour change will be observed
0.5m as the enzyme is denatured. 0.5m f The rate of
reaction drops / stops if all active sites of the enzymes are blocked. 1m The inhibitor
competes with normal substrate for active sites. 1m

11 HKCEE Biology 2003 I Q3b

(b) (i) The catalase in the paper disc broke down hydrogen peroxide, releasing oxygen.
When the amount of oxygen evolved reached a certain level, the oxygen bubbles
buoyed up the disc to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution. (ii) (1)
pH Rate of reaction (S-1)
3 <0.01
5 0.02
7 0.05
9 0.05
11 0.04
(2)
 (iii) (1) any value between 7 and 9 (or any value read from the graph drawn)
(2) Repeat the experiment using hydrogen peroxide solutions with smaller pH
intervals between 7 and 9.
(iv) The catalase activity would be similar to that of the previous investigation
because catalase is not denatured at 4°C and it can become active again at room
temperature.

Essay (p. 4-23)

12 Enzymes are biological catalysts, speeding up metabolic reactions without being used.
1m
Enzymes can be reused. Enzyme molecules return to its original form after completing the
reaction. 1m
Enzymes are required in relatively small amount because enzymes remain unchanged in the
reaction. 1m
Enzymes are proteins. They are easily denatured by high temperatures and extreme values of
pH. 1m
The actions of enzymes are specific. Each enzyme catalyses only one type of reaction.
1m
Examples of enzyme application:
Biological washing powder, papain in meat tenderizers, enzyme to coagulate milk to
produce cheese, enzyme to modify the starch in bread, enzymes to break down plant cell
wall in fruit juices, enzymes to remove hairs from hides 1m

Advantages of using enzymes in the above applications:

Enzymes are specific in action. This reduces the production of unwanted products. 1m
Enzymes are efficient in small amounts. This lowers the cost of production. 1m
Many enzymes work at moderate conditions. Extreme conditions such as high temperatures and
pressures are not required. 1m
Communication max 3m
Reading to learn (p. 4-24)
1 Buchner observed that the yeast extract had changed the sugar solution into alcohol.
1m

2 Certain enzymes in yeasts catalyse the conversion of sugar to alcohol. They could work
inside or outside living cells. 1m

3 Buchner’s discovery was important in opening up a new area of research, i.e. enzymes
working outside living cells. 1m
Many commercial products (e.g. cheese) rely on application of enzymes which work under this
condition. 1m