SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

General Biology 1
Quarter 1 – Module 7
Biological Molecules
General Biology 1 – Senior High School
Quarter 1 – Module 6: Mechanisms of Transport Across the Cell Membrane
Second Edition, 2021

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Published by the Department of Education

Secretary: Leonor Magtolis Briones
Undersecretary: Diosdado M. Antonio

Development Team of the Module

Writer/Compiler: Julien D. Ambid, T2 - Regino Mercado Night High School
Content Editors: Celia C. Gepitulan, Principal 1 - Regino Mercado Night High
School
Jocelyn C. Butanas, MT1 - Talamban National High School
Bonnie James Saclolo, T3 - Cebu City Science High School
Rey A. Kimilat, HT5 - Abellana National School
Language Editor: Roquesa B. Sabejon, PSDS - North District 7
Management Team:
Rhea Mar A. Angtud, Schools Division Superintendent
Bernadette A. Susvilla, Asst. Schools Division Superintendent
Grecia F. Bataluna, Chief – Curriculum Instruction Division
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Vanessa L. Harayo, Education Program Supervisor - LRMDS

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Office Address: New Imus Road, Day-as, Cebu City, Philippines

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 What I Need to Know

Quarter : First Quarter

Content Standard : The learners demonstrate the
understanding of structures and functions of
biological molecules - enzymes
Learning Outcomes : (1) Discuss the different levels of protein
structure (i.e., primary, secondary, tertiary
and quaternary (2) Discuss how protein
structural features may influence their
interactions (3) Discuss how protein
structural features may influence their
functions
Learning Competencies : (1) Describe the components of an enzyme
(STEM_BIO11/12 -Ii-j-17)
(2) Explain oxidation/reduction reactions
(STEM_BIO11/12 -Ii-j-18)
(3) Determine how factors such as pH,
temperature and substrate affect enzyme
activity (STEM_BIO11/12 -Ii-j-19)
Duration : 1 Week

Right now, as you read this, there are billions of chemical reactions
happening inside your body. Although they happen at lightning speed inside cells,
when these reactions are run inside test-tubes --- in a lab instead of a body --- they
happen at a snail’s pace. What explains this difference in speed? What do our cells
have, that a test-tube lacks? The answer is: enzymes!
Enzymes are life’s great facilitators. They create the conditions needed for
biochemical reactions to happen fast. The general name that chemists use for a
chemical entity that increases the speed of a reaction is a “catalyst.” Enzymes are
biological catalysts. They catalyze the chemical reactions that happen inside living
things. They are essential for respiration, digesting food, muscle and nerve function,
among thousands of other roles.
As you go over the activities in this module, you will be able to:
• Describe the components of an enzyme; and
• Determine the factors such as pH, temperature, and substrate affect enzyme
activity.

Before you move on, try to find out how much you know about enzymes by
answering the pretest below

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 What I Know

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answers on a separate of paper.

1. Which of the following is a characteristic of an enzyme?
A. It is an inorganic catalyst.
B. It is destroyed after each chemical reaction.
C. It provides energy for any chemical reaction.
D. It regulates the rate of a specific chemical reaction.
2. Which of the following factors has the least direct effect on the enzyme-regulated
reaction?
A. pH C. substrate concentration
B. temperature D. carbon dioxide concentration
3. Which of the following statements about enzymes is NOT true?
A. Enzymes are proteins. C. All enzymes work inside cells.
B. Enzymes are organic catalysts. D. Enzymes work best at a specified pH.
4. Which of the following are TRUE of reaction rates?
I. The overall rate law is determined by the fastest step of a reaction.
II. The presence of catalyst will increase the number of molecules entering the
transition state.
III. An increase in temperature will increase the rate of reaction.
IV. Increasing the concentration of reaction will increase the rate at which
products yield.
A. I, II and IV B. I, II and III C. II and III only D. II, III and IV
5. Which of the following describes the effect of catalyst to a reaction?
A. The ∆G of a reaction is decreased.
B. The rate of the reverse reaction is decreased.
C. The energy of the activated complex will decrease.
D. The equilibrium favors the products upon catalyst addiction.
6. Using this graph, what is your observation as to effect of the addition of the catalyst
to energy of the reaction?

A. A would decrease
B. B would increase
C. C would decrease
D. None of the above

7. Which of the following are functions of amino acids at an enzyme’s active site?
A. changing the enzyme itself
B. binding the substrate to the enzyme
C. converting the enzyme to receive a different substrate
D. preventing the substrate from entering the chemical reaction

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8. The enzyme ptyalin helps digest carbohydrates, while enzyme pepsin helps digest
proteins. What prevents ptyalin and pepsin from digesting the same type of food?
A. They have different shapes.
B. They have the same amino acid chains.
C. One is a protein and the other is a carbohydrate.
D. They require a different number of molecules to react.
9. The table below shows three enzymes found in human body, and the temperature
of their locations.
Enzyme Body Part Temperature (℃)
Ptyalin Mouth 36.7 – 37
Pepsin Stomach 37.3 – 37.6
Trypsin Small Intestine 37.3 – 37.6
How would a fever 40℃ most likely affect the activity of these enzymes?
A. It could slow or stop enzyme function.
B. It will change the genetic code of the enzyme.
C. It would cause the enzyme to adapt to the new temperature.
D. It would increase enzyme activity to fight the infection off faster.
10. How does an enzyme affect the rate of a reaction? It ________ the activation energy
of the reaction and __________ the reaction rate.
A. lowers; decreases C. raises; decreases
B. raises; increases D. lowers; increases
11. Which statement best explains the information presented in the graph?

A. Acids have a pH greater than 7.

B. The action of enzymes varies with pH.
C. Gastric juice is active at a pH extending from 0 to 12.
D. A pH provides the optimum environment for digestive enzymes.
12. Why does pH affect enzyme activity? The pH affects enzyme activity because it
changes ___________.
A. its relative rate of activity
B. shape of the active site
C. its optimum temperature
D. frequency of collision between enzyme and substrate
13. Which one of the following conditions is LEAST likely to denature an enzyme?
A. an extreme pH C. heavy metal ions
B. a high temperature D. a low temperature
14. Which of the following is TRUE of enzymes?
I. They increase the rate of reaction by stabilizing the transition state.
II. They raise activation energy to shift the equilibrium to favor the products.
III. They lower activation energy by altering the products of a reaction.
A. I only B. II and III C. I and III D. III only

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15. Which of the following is TRUE concerning the induced fit model of enzyme
catalysis?
A. The binding of enzyme and substrate is weakest in the transition state.
B. The active site can be influenced by molecules binding elsewhere on an enzyme.
C. The initial binding of enzyme and substrate is the most tightly bound conformation.
D. The induced fit must occur prior to the initial binding of enzyme and substrate in
order for the reaction to proceed.

What’s In
A. Directions: Below are questions to strengthen your knowledge. Write your
answers on a separate sheet of paper.
1. What is a chemical reaction? ____________________________________________________
2. What is a reactant? _____________________________________________________________
3. How do you describe product? __________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________
4. Do chemical reactions always involve chemical changes? Yes or No? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
5. What is released or absorbed whenever chemical bonds form or are broken?
___________________________________________________________________________________

6. What do chemical reactions need to absorb energy? _____________________________

B. Directions: Complete the graph of an energy-releasing by indicating where the
energy of the reactants, the energy of products and the activation energy should
appear.

b. ________

a._______
_ c. _______

Source: www.google.com

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 What’s New

A. Directions: Complete the Lock and Key Model of the Enzyme Action: Enzyme,
Products, Substrate, Active Site. Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper

B. Directions: Study the two graphs and answer the questions that follow. Write
you answer on a separate sheet of paper.
Graph A Graph B

1. Which graphs, A or B, shows the amount of substrate going to zero faster? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. If both graphs A and B show the rate of enzyme, which enzyme is more effective?
Explain your answer.

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3. What variables affect enzyme activity in each of the graphs?
a. ____________ b. ____________ c. ____________
4. What is the optimal condition for each enzyme represented by the graphs?
Hint: The optimal condition is when the enzyme works best.
a. _____________ b. _____________ c. _____________
5. What happens when hypothermia sets in (when enzymes get too cold!)? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Does the same thing happen when enzymes get too hot? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
7. What is graph C trying to show us about enzyme and substrate?
___________________________________________________________________________________
8. What happens when enzymes are added?
___________________________________________________________________________________
9. What can affect the speed of enzyme in a chemical reaction?
___________________________________________________________________________________

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10. What is the relation between the rate of reaction and enzyme concentration?
Why?
___________________________________________________________________________________
11. What would cause the rate of reaction to reach the maximum level?
___________________________________________________________________________________

12. What is the optimal pH for both enzymes?

a. Pepsin __________ b. Trypsin _________
13. What is the reactivity of trypsin at pH 14?
___________________________________________________________________________________
14. At what pH level do both enzymes stop working?
___________________________________________________________________________________
15. How do you compare the rate of enzyme activity in pepsin-catalyzed reaction to
trypsin-catalyzed reaction at pH 3?
___________________________________________________________________________________
16. At what pH values is pepsin likely to be denatured? Explain your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________________
17. What can you infer about the pH inside of the stomach and of the intestine?
Explain your answer.
___________________________________________________________________________________

What is It
What are Enzymes?
Various biological molecules are needed for reactions in the body (DNA,
Protein synthesis, Cellular respiration, etc.) Enzymes are the biological substances
(proteins) that act as catalysts and help complex reactions everywhere in life.
A catalyst is a substance that increases the rate of chemical reaction by
reducing the amount of energy needed to start that reaction. This is called the
lowering of activation energy. Activation energy can be thought of as a hill that must
be gotten over. When a catalyst acts, it lowers the energy required to get over the hill
and the reaction can proceed. An enzyme is an organic catalyst meaning that it is a
protein that catalyzes reactions in living organisms. Most reactions in the body
require enzymes.

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 Figure 1.1 Energy profile for a spontaneous exergonic reaction: AB+CDAC+BD
Source: www.google.com
Lock and Key Theory
A door that is locked needs a key that is just the right shape to fit in that lock.
Otherwise you’re stuck in the cold. Enzymes work in a similar way. Enzymes
complete very specific jobs and do nothing else. They are very specific locks and the
compounds they work are the special keys.

Here’s the deal…..There are four steps in the process of an enzyme working.
1. An enzyme and a substrate are in the same area. The substrate is the biological
molecule that the enzyme will work on.
2. An enzyme grabs onto the substrate with special area called the active site. The
active site is a specially shaped area of the enzyme that fits around the substrate.
The active site is the keyhole of the lock.
3. A process called catalysis happens. Catalysis is when the substrate is changed. It
could be broken down or combined with another molecule to make something new.
4. The enzyme lets go. Big idea – When the enzyme lets go, it returns to normal,
ready for another reaction. The substrate is no longer the same. The substrate is
called the product or products.

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 Figure 1.2 Lock and Key Analogy.
Source: www.google.com
Induced Fit Theory:
Not all experimental evidence can be adequately explained by using the so-
called rigid enzyme model assumed by the lock and key theory. For this reason, a
modification called the induced-fit theory has been proposed.
The induced-fit theory assumes that the substrate plays a role in determining
the final shape of the enzyme and that the enzyme is partially flexible. This explains
why certain compounds can bind to the enzyme but do not react because the
enzyme has been distorted too much. Other molecules may be too small to induce
the proper alignment and therefore cannot react. Only the proper substrate is
capable of inducing the proper alignment of the active site.

Figure 1.3. Induced Fit Theory

Source: www.google.com

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Factors Influencing Enzyme Action
The rate of enzyme action is affected by temperature, concentrations of
enzymes and substrate, and pH.
1. Temperature
The rate of enzyme action varies with temperature. Up to a point, the rate
increases with increasing temperature. The temperature at which the enzyme
functions most efficiently is called the optimum temperature. If the temperature is
raised above the optimum; the rate of enzyme begins to decrease. The decrease in
enzyme action occurs because the higher temperature destroys the three-
dimensional shape of the enzyme protein. In the process, known as denaturation,
the shape of the enzyme’s active site is altered so that it no longer fits the substrate.
In humans, the normal body temperature of about 37℃ is also optimum
temperature for most human enzymes. Denaturation of these enzymes begins at
about 40℃, upsetting body’s homeostasis.

Figure1.4. The effect of changing temperature on the rate of enzyme action.

Source:www.google.com
2. Enzymes and Substrate Concentration
The rate of enzyme action varies with the amount of available substrate. With
a high concentration of enzyme and a low concentration of substrate, the rate of
enzyme action increases as the substrate concentration increases. At the point
where all enzyme molecules are reacting, the rate levels off and addition of more
substrate has no further effect.

Figure 1.5. The effect of changing substrate concentration on the rate of enzyme action.
Source: www.google.com

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3. pH
The rate of enzyme action varies with the pH of the environment. The pH scale
is a measure of the hydrogen ion (H+) concentration of a solution. Solutions with a
pH of 7 are neutral. Those with a pH below 7 are acids, while those with a pH above
7 are base.

Figure1.7. The pH scale ranges from acidic to basic.

Source: www.google.com
Each enzyme has a particular pH at which it functions most efficiently. For
example, most enzymes in human blood function best in neutral solutions. However,
pepsin, an enzyme in the stomach works best at pH of 2 (a very high acidity level),
and trypsin, an enzyme in small intestine works best at a pH of 8.

Figure 1.8. The effect of pH on the rate of enzyme action.

Source: www.google.com
Examples of Specific Enzymes
There are thousands of enzymes in the human body, here are just a few
examples:
Lipases – a group of enzymes that help digest fats in the gut.
Amylase – helps change starches into sugars. Amylase is found in saliva.
Maltase – also found in saliva; breaks the sugar maltose into glucose. Maltose is
found in foods such as potatoes, pasta, and beer.
Trypsin – found in the small intestine, breaks proteins down into amino acids.
Lactase – also found in the small intestine, breaks lactose, the sugar in milk, into
glucose and galactose.
Acetylcholinesterase – breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in nerves and
muscles.
Helicase – unravels DNA.
DNA polymerase – synthesize DNA from deoxyribonucleotides.

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 What I Have Learned

Directions: Answer the questions that follow on a separate sheet of paper.

1. What is a catalyst? ______________________________________________________

2. What is an enzyme? _____________________________________________________
3. What is an active site and what is its job? _______________________________
4. What is a substrate? ____________________________________________________
5. What is a product? ______________________________________________________
6. Explain how an enzyme works using the terms from 1 – 5.
____________________________________________________________________________
7. What is denaturing and what causes it to occur?
____________________________________________________________________________
8. What four things can affect the way enzymes work?
____________________________________________________________________________
9. How can a lock and key be used to describe an enzyme?
____________________________________________________________________________
10. Why do enzymes generally bind to one type of substrate?
____________________________________________________________________________

What’s More

Effect of Enzymes in a Reaction

Directions: Study the graph below and answer the questions that follow. Write your
answer on a separate sheet of paper.

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How do enzymes work? Explain your answer.
Hint: Include the term activation energy and compare the two curves, explaining which
is with the enzyme. ________________________________________________________________

What I Can Do

Directions: Read each the paragraph below and answer the questions the follow.
Write your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. The stomach produces hydrochloric acid (pH of 1.5 to 3.5) which increases the
acidity of the stomach to the optimum pH for stomach enzymes to digest food.
However, digestive enzymes found in small intestine are damaged by strong acidic
conditions. How does the body avoid damaging the digestive enzymes in the small
intestine with strongly acidic pH as the food passes out of the stomach?
Warning: Hydrochloric acid is poisonous when ingested. It should not be taken
internally.
___________________________________________________________________________________
2. a. Biological washing powders contain protein-, fat- and carbohydrate digesting
enzymes to help remove stains. Name other use of enzymes at home and in industry.

___________________________________________________________________________________
b. Give one advantage of using enzymes in industrial manufacturing process.

___________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment

Directions: Write the letter of the correct answers on a separate of paper.

1. Which of the following are true of reaction rates?
I. The overall rate law is determined by the fastest step of a reaction.
II. The presence of catalyst will increase the number of molecules entering the
transition state.
III. An increase in temperature will increase the rate of reaction.
IV. Increasing the concentration of reaction will increase the rate at which
products yield.
A. I, II and IV B. I, II and III C. II and III only D. II, III and IV

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2. A certain enzyme will hydolyze egg white but not starch. Which statement best
explains this observation.
A. Starch is composed of amino acids.
B. Egg white acts as a coenzyme for hydrolysis.
C. Enzyme molecules are specific in their actions.
D. Starch molecules are too large to be hydrolyzed.
3. Which of the following enzymes would digest a fat?
A. ligase B. lipase C. protease D. sucrase
4. A student conducts an experiment to test the efficiency of a certain enzyme.
Which would probably not result in a change in the enzyme’s efficiency?
A. adding an acidic solution to the setup
B. adding more substrate but not enzyme
C. increasing temperature of solution
D. A, B and C change enzyme’s activity
5. The following graph shows the effect of a factor on the activity of two enzymes.
What should be shown on the x axis?

A. pH C. Enzyme concentration
B. Temperature D. Substrate concentration
6. Which statement BEST describes why the activity of this enzyme decreases on
either side of the optimum pH?
A. The enzyme is denatured.
B. The activation energy is no longer reduced.
C. The shape of the enzyme is altered so it cannot bind so well to the
substrate.
D. The shape of the active site is altered so it cannot bind so well to the
substrate.
7. Which statement tells about enzymes?
A. All enzymes are proteins.
B. Enzymes are killed at high temperatures.
C. Enzymes are denatured at low temperatures.
D. All enzymes in the human body have an optimum temperature of about
37℃.
8. Which statement is NOT TRUE for all enzymes?
A. Enzymes are affected by pH.
B. Enzymes catalyze reactions.
C. Enzyme remain unchanged at the end of a reaction.
D. Enzymes break down large molecules to small ones.

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9. Bubbles of oxygen were given off when some catalase were added to hydrogen
peroxide. After a while the reaction stopped. Why did it happen?
A. The catalase was used up.
B. The oxygen was given off inhibited the catalase.
C. The catalase was denatured by the reaction.
D. The hydrogen peroxide was all broken down.
10. A student investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of activity of a
protease enzyme. Which variable should be changed and which should be kept
constant?
A. Temperature; pH
B. pH; temperature
C. enzyme concentration; substrate concentration
D. substrate concentration, enzyme concentration
11. Catalase catalyzes a reaction in which hydrogen peroxide is broken down to
water and oxygen. What is the substrate and product in this reaction?
A. water; oxygen C. oxygen and water; catalase
B. catalase; hydrogen peroxide D. hydrogen peroxide; water and oxygen
12. What is an active site? It is a ___________.
A. gland that secretes a particular enzyme
B. place in the body where an enzyme works
C. part of substrate to which an enzyme molecule attaches
D. part of an enzyme molecule into which a substrate molecule fits
13. Why does the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction increase as temperature is
raised from 0 to 40℃?
A. Enzymes are denatured at low temperatures.
B. The shape of the substrate changes at high temperatures.
C. The shape of the active site changes so that the substrate fits into better.
D. The enzyme and substrate molecules have more kinetic energy, so they
collide more frequently
14. Which one of the following statements is TRUE of enzyme catalysts?
A. They bind to substrates but are never covalently attached to substrate or
product.
B. To be effective, they must present at the same concentration as their
substrates.
C. They increase the equilibrium constant for a reaction, thus favoring
product formation
D. They lower the activation energy for the conversion of substrate to
product.
15. What does the concept of “induced fit” refer?
A. enzyme specificity is induced by enzyme-substrate binding
B. enzyme-substrate binding induces the movement along the reaction
coordinate to the transition state
C. substrate binding may induce a conformational change in the enzyme,
which then brings catalytic groups into proper orientation
D. when substrate binds to an enzyme, the enzyme induces a loss of water
(desolving) from the substrate

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