Exam revision

Final exam revision

Name: Class: ( ) Date: __________________
Multiple choice question
1 An experiment was carried out to study the change in the
concentration of maltose in a reaction mixture with starch
and an amylase. The experiment was performed under
optimum conditions for the amylase and repeated with
certain treatment performed to the reaction mixture. The
graph below shows the results. Which of the following is
not a possible treatment?

A cooling the reaction mixture to 0 °C

B adding a strong alkali to the reaction mixture
C adding an inhibitor of amylase to the reaction mixture
D diluting the reaction mixture by two folds using distilled water

2 Which of the following statements about the factors affecting enzyme activity are incorrect?
(1) Low temperatures decrease enzyme activity because enzymes are denatured.
(2) High temperatures decrease enzyme activity because the enzyme and substrate
molecules cannot collide with one another.
(3) Unsuitable pH decreases enzyme activity because the activation energy of the reaction
becomes greater.
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

3 Pepsin solutions at different pH were added into 5 test tubes. An egg white cube of the same size was
put into each tube. The test tubes were then put in a water bath at 37 °C for one hour. Which of the
following graphs best represents the volume of the egg white cubes under different pH after one hour?

1
 Exam revision
4. Which of the following statements about phagocytosis are correct?
(1) It requires energy for changing the shape of the cell membrane to form pseudopodia.
(2) The large particle taken in is enclosed in a vacuole formed from the cell membrane.
(3) It is important for nutrition of some unicellular organisms and body defence of humans.
A (1) and (2) only
B (1) and (3) only
C (2) and (3) only
D (1), (2) and (3)

Directions: Questions 5 refer to the diagram below,

which shows the relative amounts of
two kinds of substances on both sides
of the cell membrane of a cell.

5. Given that glucose moves into the cell and carbon dioxide moves out of the cell, which of the following
combinations correctly identifies the mechanisms by which they move across the cell membrane?
Glucose Carbon dioxide
A diffusion active transport
B diffusion diffusion
C active transport diffusion
D active transport active transport

2
 Exam revision

Conventional questions

1 The photomicrograph below shows the conditions of some epidermal cells of a red onion immersed in a salt
solution.

cell X

(×200)

a With reference to the photomicrograph, draw a labelled diagram of cell X in the space below.
(2 marks)

A red onion epidermal cell in a salt solution (×200)

3
 Exam revision

In an experiment, a student removed the fleshy scale leaves of a red onion. He then cut the scale leaves into
smaller pieces of a similar size and immersed them in salt solutions of different concentrations for two hours.
The initial and final mass of the scale leaf pieces were measured.
The experimental results are shown in the graph below.

1.1

ratio of
final mass to
initial mass
1.0

0.9

0
0 50 100 150 200

concentration of salt solution (g dm−3)

b With reference to the experimental results, suggest the salt concentration at which epithelial cells of the
scale leaf pieces would have a similar appearance to those shown in the photomicrograph. Explain your
answer. (3 marks)

4
 Exam revision

2 The graph below shows the effectiveness of a biological washing powder at different pH.

Effectiveness of
the washing
powder
(arbitrary unit)

4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

pH

a Explain why two peaks are observed in the curve. Suggest the meaning of the peaks. (2 marks)

b Explain the shape of the curve between pH 8 and 11. (3 marks)

c Which pH value would be the most effective to remove multiple kinds of stains on clothes?
Explain briefly. (2 marks)

5
 Exam revision
3 Casein is an insoluble protein present in milk. It gives the milky appearance of milk. Enzyme X
catalyses the hydrolysis of casein into a colourless, soluble protein.

Casein enzyme X colourless soluble protein

A student set up three tubes (A to C) to study the hydrolysis of casein by enzyme X. The table below
shows the volume of the substances he added to each test tube.

Volume added (cm3)

Tube A Tube B Tube C

Skimmed milk 6 6 6

Enzyme X solution 2 2 0

Dilute hydrochloric acid 2 0 2

Distilled water 0 2 2

The tubes were allowed to stand for 30 minutes. The cloudiness of the mixture in each tube was
measured at regular intervals and the results were shown in the graph below.

tubes B and C

cloudiness
(arbitrary unit)

tube A

time (min)
0 15 30

6
 Exam revision

a Why is distilled water added to tubes B and C? (1 mark)

b Why should skimmed milk be used instead of full-fat milk? (1 mark)

c i Based on the results in tubes A and C, what conclusion can be drawn? (1 mark)

ii Further to your answer in i, what conclusion can be drawn if the result in tube B is also
considered? (1 mark)

d Describe how you would show that the hydrolysis of casein is due to the action of enzyme X.
(3 marks)

e If a student adds more milk to tube A after 30 mins, what would happen to the cloudiness of the
reaction mixture in the tube? Which property of enzymes does this demonstrate? (2 marks)

7
 Exam revision
Answer
1. D 2. D 3. C 4. D 5. C
6. D 7. A

1 a

cell wall

cell membrane

A red onion epidermal cell in a salt solution (×200)

Resemblance of drawing 1
Labels 1
b Any salt concentration higher than 40 g dm−3 1
because at this concentration, the ratio of final mass to initial mass was less than 1.0, showing
that the onion cells lose water by osmosis / there is a net movement of water from the cell
content of the onion cells to the salt solution by osmosis. 1
The vacuole shrinks in size, pulling the cytoplasm / cell membrane away from the cell wall.
1

2 a Two peaks are observed because two different enzymes are present. 1
Each of the peaks corresponds to the optimum pH of each enzyme. 1
b pH 9 is the optimum pH for the enzyme. 1
At unsuitable pH, the activity of the enzyme decreases 1
because the enzyme is denatured. 1
c pH 8 1
because both enzymes have considerable activity at this pH. 1
3 a To give the same total volume of solution in each tubes. This ensures the concentrations of
skimmed milk in the three tubes / enzyme X in tubes A and B are the same. 1
b Without fat, the milk will look less cloudy and hence the change in cloudiness can be
measured more accurately. 1
c i The hydrolysis of casein is due to the presence of enzyme X. 1
ii Both dilute hydrochloric acid and enzyme X are needed for the hydrolysis of
casein. 1
d Set up a tube which contains the same content as tube A 1
but replacing enzyme X solution with boiled enzyme X solution. 1
If the reaction mixture remains cloudy / does not become clearer, the hydrolysis of
casein is due to the action of enzyme X. 1
e The cloudiness will first increase and then gradually decrease. 1
This demonstrates that enzymes can be reused. 1