Proteins: Enzymes (AQA A Level Biology)

Exam Questions

2 hours15 questions
1a1 mark

Explain why enzymes are referred to as biological catalysts

1b3 marks

Figure 1 below shows a representation of an enzyme-controlled reaction.

Figure 1

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Describe the events taking place in Figure 1.

1c2 marks

Figure 1 shows a model of enzyme action called the lock and key model. Modern understanding of enzyme function uses a modified version of this model called the induced fit hypothesis. State the difference between the lock and key model and the induced fit hypothesis. You may use a diagram in your answer. 

1d1 mark

Figure 2 below shows how enzymes affect biological reactions.

Figure 2

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Use Figure 2 and/or your own knowledge of enzyme function to explain how enzymes function as biological catalysts. 

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2a2 marks

A student wanted to investigate the effect of substrate concentration on the activity of an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is an enzyme that commonly occurs inside living cells where it breaks down toxic hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. Figure 1 below shows the experiment set up by the student.

Figure 1

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Give two control variables that the student would need to be aware of in the experiment shown in Figure 1.

2b1 mark

The student decided to make up solutions at five different hydrogen peroxide concentrations. Their measurements for these solutions are shown in Table 1 below.

Table 1

Concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution (%)

Volume of hydrogen peroxide required (cm3)

Volume of distilled water required (cm3)

10

10

90

8

B

C

6

6

94

A

4

96

2

2

98

Give the measurements needed to fill in gaps A-C in Table 1.

2c1 mark

After measuring out the range of hydrogen peroxide concentrations shown in Table 1, the student carried out the experiment using the equipment set up in Figure 1. They recorded the volume of oxygen (the product) produced after one minute, and repeated this measurement 3 times at each concentration. Their results are shown in Table 2.

Table 2

Hydrogen peroxide concentration / %

Volume of oxygen produced after 1 minute / cm3

Mean volume of oxygen / cm3

Repeat 1

Repeat 2

Repeat 3

10

18

20

21

19.7

8

17

18

18

17.7

6

13

11

13

X

4

9

9

10

9.3

2

5

6

6

5.7

Use the data in Table 2 to calculate the value missing from the square marked X.

2d4 marks

Plot a graph of hydrogen peroxide concentration against the mean volume of oxygen.

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3a2 marks

A student wanted to investigate the effect of temperature on the activity of the enzyme amylase. They decided to follow the procedure in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

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State the purpose of the iodine solution in the spotting tiles, and how it achieves this purpose.

3b1 mark

Figure 1 below shows the results gained for the experiment carried out at 10°C.

Figure 1

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Explain why the iodine no longer chages colour at 300 seconds in Figure 1.

3c3 marks

Table 1 shows the results gained by the student.

Table 1

Temperature / °C

Time taken until iodine no longer changes colour / s

10

300

20

180

30

90

40

30

50

330

60

>330


Explain the results shown at 50°C and 60°C in
Table 1

3d1 mark

State how the student could make their results more precise.

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4a2 marks

Figure 1 shows how the addition of a molecule named here as molecule X affects the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction. 

Figure 1

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Describe how the addition of molecule X affects the rate of reaction in Figure 1.

4b2 marks

Figure 2 shows how molecule X interacts with the enzyme. 

Figure 2

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Use Figure 2 to explain the results shown in Figure 1

4c1 mark

Figure 3 below shows another molecule, molecule Y

Figure 3

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Suggest how molecule Y in Figure 3 might interact with the enzyme shown in Figure 2.

4d2 marks

Sketch a line on Figure 1 to show how molecule Y might affect the rate of reaction.

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5a2 marks

A researcher investigated the effect of pH on the activity of stomach enzyme pepsin. Their results are shown in Figure 1 below. 

Figure 1

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Calculate the rate of reaction at pH 4. Give your answer with the correct units.

5b2 marks

Describe the differences between the curves at pH 4 and pH 2.

5c1 mark

State why product production at pH 2 does not continue indefinitely but reaches a plateau at around 14.75 g.

5d3 marks

Predict and explain what the graph might show if the pH were to be raised to pH 10.

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1a2 marks

Enzyme X is found in human cells. It has been discovered that there are non-functional and functional forms of enzyme  X that exist. The functional form of enzyme X is only formed when a phosphate group binds to enzyme X. The mechanism described is shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1

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Explain how the addition of a phosphate group to the non-functional form of enzyme X leads to the formation of the functional form of enzyme X.

1b2 marks

The formation of the enzyme-substrate complex between the functional form of enzyme X and its substrate results in products that affect the renewal of skin cells. Too high a concentration of the products results in excess skin renewal. A chronic skin disease is caused by an abnormal form of enzyme X. Figure 2 shows the abnormal form of enzyme X.

Figure 2

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Suggest how the abnormal enzyme X causes the chronic skin disease.
1c3 marks

Drug Y is a drug used to treat the chronic skin condition caused by abnormal enzyme X. Figure 3 shows how drug Y inhibits abnormal enzyme X.

Figure 3

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Using the information given, describe how drug Y prevents the development of the chronic skin condition.

1d2 marks

Individuals that are prescribed drug Y must take the drug at regular, repeated intervals. It is also vital that they do not exceed the maximum prescribed dose. Explain why.

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2a2 marks

A protease is an enzyme that digests protein. A research scientist isolated protease C from a particular species of bacteria. They investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of hydrolysis of a protein by protease C.  After 4 minutes the mass ofprotein hydrolysed was measured at each temperature. The results can be seen in Table 1 below.

Table 1 

Temperature ( °C)

Mass of protein hydrolysed (mg)

Rate of hydrolysis 

( _____________ )

10

470

 

15

990

 

20

1180

 

25

1310

 

35

1030

 

45

420

 

60

110

 

Fill in the missing details of Table 1.

2b3 marks

Plot a graph of the results seen in Table 1.

2c4 marks

A research assistant concluded from their graph of the data in Table 1 that the bacterium's habitat was likely around 25°C. Evaluate this conclusion.

2d2 marks

Suggest how the research scientist controlled the pH throughout the experiment.

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3a2 marks

In their first few weeks of life puppies produce large amounts of the enzyme lactase so that they can break down their mothers milk. However as they grow older and are weaned onto solid dog food they produce less and less lactase. Milk can still be beneficial for an older puppy because of its high calcium content. 

Cow’s milk contains large amounts of the sugar lactose but it can be made suitable for older puppies via treatment with the enzyme lactase. This makes the cow’s milk lactose-free. Beads are coated with the enzyme lactase and placed in a glass cylinder, as shown in Figure 1 below. As the cow’s milk flows over the beads the lactose is hydrolysed.

Figure 1

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Lactose is broken down into glucose and galactose by lactase. Galactose has a similar structure to a section of the lactose molecule. Explain how galactose acts as an inhibitor of lactase.

3b4 marks

Attaching the enzyme to the beads is a more efficient method for using the enzyme, rather than directly adding it to cow’s milk. Suggest four reasons why it is a more efficient method.

3c2 marks

The scientist varied the flow rate of the milk through the column. The effect of flow
rate on the concentration of glucose in Milk B is shown in Table 1 below.

 Table 1

Flow rate of milk through the column (cm3 min−1)

Concentration of glucose in Milk 2  (arbitrary units)

30

38

60

44

90

5

Using the information from Table 1 suggest which flow rate should be used by a manufacturer wanting to produce large volumes of lactose free puppy milk. Justify your answer.

3d3 marks

Many humans also struggle with digesting cow’s milk. Those who are lactoseintolerant have little or no lactase enzymes.

Fortunately, lactase tablets can be taken to help aid in the digestion of lactose heavy foods. These tablets don’t have to be stored at a lower temperature but other enzymes used in experiments can often require storage in a laboratory refrigerator.Use your knowledge of protein structure to explain why this is so.

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4a4 marks

An enzyme can only catalyse one reaction but a substrate can be hydrolysed by more than one enzyme. Explain why.

4b2 marks

A lab technician was investigating the effect of temperature on the rate of an specific enzyme-controlled reaction.  Water baths were used to maintain temperatures of 30 and 50 degrees Celsius. For the reactions at both temperatures, the same concentration of substrate and enzyme was used. Figure 1 shows their results.

Figure 1

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Sketch tangents to find the initial rates of reaction for both temperatures. Then use these values to calculate the ratio of the initial rates of reaction at 50°C : 30°C.
Show your working.


Ratio = _________:1

4c2 marks

Explain the difference in the initial rates of reaction at 50 °C and 30 °C.

4d2 marks

Explain the difference in the rates of reaction at 50 °C and 30 °C after 10 minutes.

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5a4 marks

Scientists investigated the effect of pH on the activity of enzyme A. Agar plates containing the enzyme substrate were used. The substrate caused the agar to go a grey colour. The scientists created four wells of equal size in the agar of each plate. A drop of enzyme A solution was added to each of the wells. The pH of the enzyme solution was different in each well. The agar plates were incubated for 5 hours at a constant temperature. 

Figure 1 below shows how the agar plates looked after they were incubated. 

Figure 1

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Describe and explain the results seen in Figure 1.

5b2 marks

While the scientists were investigating another enzyme, enzyme B, they found that a change in pH from 7.2 to 7.6 had a very large effect on the rate of reaction controlled by enzyme B. Using your knowledge of pH, explain why a small change in pH produces a large effect on the rate of reaction.

5c3 marks

Research scientists have investigated the effects of both competitive and non-competitive inhibitors of enzyme A.  One of the inhibitors being investigated is represented  in Figure 2 below. State what type of inhibitor molecule 1 is and describe how it works.

Figure 2

screenshot-2023-05-21-155117

5d1 mark

Suggest how the inhibition of enzyme A by molecule 1 could be overcome.

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1a4 marks

Enzymes are known to reduce the activation energy of biochemical reactions. Suggest and explain two mechanisms by which activation energy might be lowered. Use the context of an anabolic reaction, i.e. two small substrates being joined chemically into a larger product.   

1b3 marks

Explain the Induced Fit Hypothesis which has superseded the previous model of enzyme action, the Lock and Key Hypothesis.

1c1 mark

The first step of cellular respiration is the phosphorylation of glucose in the cell cytoplasm.  This is catalysed by the enzyme hexokinase:

glucose + ATP → glucose 6-phosphate + ADP 

Figure 1 shows the images obtained of the enzyme and enzyme-substrate complex. X-ray crystallography was used to obtain these images.

Figure 1

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Identify the evidence of the induced fit hypothesis in Figure 1 .

1d4 marks

Describe and explain two ways in which an enzyme can become denatured.

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2a1 mark

Certain plants that reproduce sexually contain an enzyme called pyrophosphatase. This enzyme plays a role in ensuring self-incompatibility, which is a mechanism that prevents a plant from fertilising itself. The selective advantage of self-incompatibility is that more cross-breeding can occur within a species, which has long term benefits for evolution and for maintaining a wide pool of alleles.

Known volumes of pyrophosphatase and substrate can be mixed in a cuvette with a blue dye that starts as colourless and develops colour over time. The rate of colour development can be measured in a colorimeter by measuring the absorbance of light of wavelength 620 nm (red light). 

Figure 1 shows the mean rate of reaction of pyrophosphatase measured over five repeats at 20°C.

  

Figure 1

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State why the wavelength of 620 nm is selected for this experimental measurement.

2b3 marks

Use Figure 1 to calculate the rate of the reaction at 100 seconds. Give your answer in suitable units. 

2c2 marks

Predict and explain whether your answer to 2 (b) would be higher, lower or the same if a higher concentration of enzyme at the beginning of the experiment.

2d3 marks

As temperature increases, the rate at which pyrophosphatase works increases, then decreases.  Explain why these changes take place.  

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3a6 marks

Describe and explain the similarities and differences between competitive and non-competitive enzyme inhibition. 

3b2 marks

Many products of multi-step cellular reactions act as inhibitors of the enzymes that catalyse the preceding steps in a metabolic pathway. For example, ATP acts as a non-competitive inhibitor of the enzyme pyruvate kinase, which catalyses the final step of glycolysis, the first stage of cellular respiration of glucose. 

screenshot-2023-05-22-063814

Suggest how the inhibition of pyruvate kinase by ATP allows cells to prevent overproduction and wasting of cellular energy.

3c4 marks

Figure 1 shows the effects of increasing substrate concentration on enzyme activity with and without two types of inhibitor, competitive and non-competitive. 

 Figure 1

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Sketch a line on both graphs to indicate the effect of increasing inhibitor concentration in each case. Explain the position and shape of each line. 

3d4 marks

Compare and contrast the features of a substrate and a competitive inhibitor

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4a2 marks

Define the term ‘specificity’ in the context of enzymes. 

4b4 marks

In humans, the enzyme sucrase hydrolyses sucrose. This reaction occurs in the small intestine at 37°C. Explain why sucrase only hydrolyses sucrose, and why this reaction can take place at normal body temperature. 

4c3 marks

A sucrose solution was split into two equal portions. One portion (A) was left untreated at room temperature, and the other (B) was treated with sucrase and left for 30 minutes at room temperature. Both solutions were tasted by human volunteers. Identify which solution would taste sweeter and explain your choice.

4d2 marks

Suggest two sources of error that could arise from an experiment to measure the effect of temperature on the rate of an enzyme-controlled reaction. Assume that in this experiment, the dependent variable is measured as the volume of a gas produced.

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5a4 marks

A significant amount of research has been conducted on the enzyme composition of extremophile microorganisms, in order to discover new enzymes that can be used in the home in extreme conditions. One such organism, Planococcus halocryophilus, is a psychrophile (it grows at cold temperatures around 0°C). Trials with the enzymes of P. halocryophilus have discovered applications of these enzymes in the detergent industry. 

Suggest and explain how these trial results are encouraging for the laundry detergent industry.  

5b3 marks

Many commercially-produced biological laundry detergents contain a range of different enzymes. Explain why a range of enzymes can improve the detergent’s performance in the home.

5c2 marks

Papain is a proteolytic enzyme derived from papaya fruit. It has been used in contact lens cleaning solutions to remove denatured protein-containing deposits that accumulate on the surfaces of contact lenses during long periods of wear. The periodic removal of protein deposits increase wearer comfort and extends wearing time.

The principal protein component of tear film fluid is lysozyme. Suggest a reason for the presence of lysozyme in tear film fluid.  

5d2 marks

Lysozyme and other proteins present in tear film fluid can denature rapidly when in contact with contact lens material. This denatured material loses its original function and forms deposits on the lens surface. Describe and explain the mode of action of papain against the denatured protein deposits on the surfaces of the contact lenses.

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