95 I

8. (a) An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of temperature on the activities of amylases I
and II. These enzymes were obtained from the same type of tissue of vertebrate animals I and II
respectively. Similar pH, enzyme concentration and substrate concentration were used. The
experimental data obtained are recorded in the following table :

Time for complete digestion of 1 unit of substrate / minute

Temperature/℃
Amylase I Amylase II
10 2.0 5.0
15 1.6 3.5
20 1.5 2.5
25 1.6 2.0
30 2.0 1.6
35 4.0 1.4
40 10.0 1.5

(i) Plot a graph to demonstrate the effect of temperature on the activities of amylases I and II.
(5 marks)

(ii) Explain the results for amylase I. (2 marks)

(iii) What are the optimum temperatures for amylase I and amylase II ? What thermoregulatory ability
would the data for amylase I suggest for vertebrate animal I ? (2 marks)

(b) The graph below shows the effects of two chemicals, A and B, on the activity of amylase I. Similar pH,
temperature, enzyme concentration and chemical concentration were used in the experiment.

Amylase I
Enzyme activity (arbitrary unit)

Amylase I
+
Chemical A

Amylase I
+
Chemical B

Substrate concentration (arbitrary unit)

(i) Compare and contrast the effects of chemical A and chemical B on the activity of amylase I.
(3 marks)

(ii) Explain how each chemical, A and B, exerts its effect on amylase I. (3 marks)
(Total : 15 marks)
96 1 Q10
10. (a) A student performed an experiment to monitor the progress of a simple enzyme-catalysed reaction
involving one substrate and one product. He prepared replicate reaction tubes. In each tube, the
concentration of only one reaction component, either the substrate or product, was measured. The
results of three selected tubes are shown as curves A, B and C below :

(i) Identify which measured component, substrate or product, is represented by each curve.
(1 marks)

(ii) It was realized that the reaction mixture in one of the three tubes had been wrongly prepared.
This resulted in a different reaction condition.

(1) State which curve represents the result of an error in the preparation. Give a reason for your
choice. Suggest two possible mistakes in the student's preparation of this reaction mixture.
(3 marks)

(2) What evidence shows that the other two curves represent identical reaction conditions ?
(2 marks)

(iii) With reference to curve C,

(1) calculate the rate of enzyme reaction at the 3rd minute, given that 100% concentration is
equivalent to 100 mmoles of the measured component (Show the readings you take from
the graph in your calculation.) ; (2 marks)
 (2) compare and explain the difference in enzyme reaction rate at the 3rd and 15th minute.
(2 marks)

(iv) Curve A will finally level off and will not reach 100 %. Explain this phenomenon. (11 marks)

(b) Explain what is meant by the 'active site' of an enzyme. (1 marks)

Total : 15 marks