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Edexcel GCSE Combined Science

Topic questions Cell biology Factors affecting enzyme activity

Factors affecting enzyme activity

16 questions · 167 marks · about 3 hours

Factors affecting enzyme activity questions

Edexcel 1SC0 Factors affecting enzyme activity 16 questions

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2025 Foundation tier, Question 6 13 marks

(a)

Figure 12 shows a beaker containing a potato cylinder in distilled water.

Figure for question 6

Explain why the mass of this potato cylinder will change when it is placed in distilled water.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(a)
(b)

A scientist investigated the rate of diffusion using three agar cubes of different sizes.

Each cube contained a pH indicator that changed from pink to colourless when placed in acid.

The cubes were placed in a beaker containing an acid.

Figure 13 shows some information about each cube.

Figure for question 6
(b)(i)

Calculate the volume of cube C.

........ cm3

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Explain the difference in the times taken for cubes A and B to become colourless.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(b)(ii)
(c)

* (c) Liquid agar was poured into a Petri dish and allowed to set.

A well was cut in the centre of the set agar.

Kiwi fruit juice was poured into the well.

Kiwi fruit juice contains an enzyme that causes set agar to break down into a liquid.

Figure 14 shows the results after 30 minutes.

Figure for question 6

Devise a plan to investigate the effect of different concentrations of kiwi fruit juice on the breakdown of set agar, using the equipment shown in Figure 14.

Your plan should include:

โ€ข measurements that need to be taken

โ€ข variables that need to be controlled.

[6]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 6(c)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2024 Foundation tier, Question 5 11 marks

A student investigated the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction of the enzyme pepsin.

Figure 7 shows the data collected.

Figure for question 5
(a)

Complete the graph by plotting the results shown in Figure 7 and drawing a line of best fit.

The first two points have been plotted for you.

Figure for question 5
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)
(b)

Pepsin and trypsin are enzymes that break down proteins.

Figure 8 shows the results of an investigation into the activity of pepsin and trypsin at different pH levels.

Figure for question 5
(b)(i)

Which molecules are produced when a protein is broken down?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Describe the trend in the graph for the enzyme pepsin.

Use data from the graph to support your answer.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

State the optimum pH for the enzyme trypsin.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(iii)
(b)(iv)

Explain why there is no trypsin activity at pH 5.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(iv)
(b)(v)

Temperature is a variable that should be controlled in this investigation.

Give one way the temperature could be controlled.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(v)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2024 Higher tier, Question 1 9 marks

(a)

Pepsin and trypsin are enzymes that break down proteins.

Figure 1 shows the results of an investigation into the activity of pepsin and trypsin at different pH levels.

Figure for question 1
(a)(i)

Which molecules are produced when a protein is broken down?

Question 1, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Describe the trend in the graph for the enzyme pepsin.

Use data from the graph to support your answer.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

State the optimum pH for the enzyme trypsin.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(iii)
(a)(iv)

Explain why there is no trypsin activity at pH 5.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(iv)
(a)(v)

Temperature is a variable that should be controlled in this investigation.

Give one way the temperature could be controlled.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)(v)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2023 Foundation tier, Question 5 11 marks

(a)

Apple trees show genetic variation.

(a)(i)

State one possible cause of genetic variation in apple trees.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The colour of an apple is an observable characteristic.

Which is the term for an observable characteristic?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(b)

Name the type of reproduction that produces genetically identical organisms.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)
(c)

Grafting is a technique used to grow some varieties of apple tree.

Figure 9 shows apple tree shoots grafted on to a rootstock.

Figure for question 5

Grafting can be used to produce apple trees that are genetically identical.

Give one advantage and one disadvantage of growing genetically identical apple trees.

advantage

disadvantage

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(c)
(d)

As apples ripen, enzymes convert starch into sugars.

Devise a method to find the optimum pH of an enzyme that breaks down starch.

You may use standard laboratory equipment and the solutions listed in the box.

Figure for question 5
[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(d)
(e)

The optimum pH of an enzyme is pH 6.

Explain why this enzyme would not work at pH 10.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(e)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2023 Higher tier, Question 1 9 marks

(a)

Name the type of reproduction that produces genetically identical organisms.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(a)
(b)

Grafting is a technique used to grow some varieties of apple tree.

Figure 1 shows apple tree shoots grafted on to a rootstock.

Figure for question 1

Grafting can be used to produce apple trees that are genetically identical.

Give one advantage and one disadvantage of growing genetically identical apple trees.

advantage

disadvantage

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(b)
(c)

As apples ripen, enzymes convert starch into sugars.

Devise a method to find the optimum pH of an enzyme that breaks down starch.

You may use standard laboratory equipment and the solutions listed in the box.

Figure for question 1
[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(c)
(d)

The optimum pH of an enzyme is pH 6.

Explain why this enzyme would not work at pH 10.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 1(d)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2022 Foundation tier, Question 4 12 marks

(a)

Figure 7 shows a height percentile chart for boys.

The numbers on the right-hand side of the graph show the percentiles of the population for each growth curve.

Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

A 10-year-old boy has a height of 140 cm.

Which is the percentile range for height for this boy?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

State how percentile charts are used.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

As we grow, we make new cells by mitosis and meiosis.

(b)(i)

The cells that are made can become specialised.

Figure 8 shows a diagram of a sperm cell.

Figure for question 4

Describe two ways that the sperm cell is specialised.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Complete the table to show the results when a cell divides by mitosis or meiosis in humans.

Human body cells, except gametes, have 23 pairs of chromosomes.

Figure for question 4
[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(c)

The tips of plant roots are where many cells are dividing by mitosis.

(c)(i)

Which term describes the area of a root where many cells are dividing by mitosis?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

Plant root cells contain an enzyme that joins glucose molecules together to make starch.

Devise a plan to investigate the effect of pH on the activity of this enzyme.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2021 Foundation tier, Question 4 10 marks

(a)

Why are enzymes called biological catalysts?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Many cells contain an enzyme called catalase.

Catalase breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen.

A scientist investigated the effect of hydrogen peroxide concentration on the time taken to produce 20 cm3 of oxygen.

Figure 6 shows the equipment used.

Figure for question 4
(b)(i)

State how the scientist could control the temperature of the flask.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Explain why the temperature should be controlled in this investigation.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

This investigation used five different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide.

Figure 7 shows the results of this investigation.

concentration of hydrogen peroxide in arbitrary unitstime taken to collect 20 cm3 of oxygen in seconds
432
814
129
167
206
Question 4, shown as an image

Complete the graph by plotting the points and drawing a line to show the trend in the data.

The first point has been plotted for you.

Figure for question 4

concentration of hydrogen peroxide in arbitrary units

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(iii)
(b)(iv)

Describe the trend shown in the graph.

Use data from the table in Figure 7 to support your answer.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(iv)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2021 Higher tier, Question 5 11 marks

Chymosin is an enzyme that causes milk to curdle.

When milk curdles the proteins in the milk clump together and become solid.

(a)

As part of an investigation, milk was heated in test tubes to different temperatures using a Bunsen burner.

Two drops of chymosin solution were added to each test tube and the time taken for the milk to curdle was recorded.

Figure 7 shows the results.

temperature of the milk in ยฐCtime taken for milk to curdle in seconds
25125
30105
3590
4070
4575
Question 5, shown as an image
(a)(i)

Which variables need to be kept constant in this investigation?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain why the time taken for the milk to curdle decreases from 30 ยฐC to 40 ยฐC.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Explain what the expected result would be if two drops of chymosin were added to the milk at 70 ยฐC in the test tube.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iii)
(a)(iv)

As part of this investigation, test tubes containing only milk were heated to each temperature and no chymosin solution was added.

State why these test tubes containing only milk were used.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iv)
(a)(v)

Describe two improvements that could be made to the method of this investigation so that the optimum temperature for chymosin can be found.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(v)
(b)

Chymosin can be produced by genetically modified bacteria.

Figure 8 shows a bacterial cell.

Figure for question 5

Explain how to genetically modify a bacterial cell to produce chymosin.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2020 Foundation tier, Question 4 10 marks

(a)

A student investigated the activity of a human enzyme at different temperatures.

The student measured the mass of product formed after 10 minutes at different temperatures.

Figure 5 shows the results of this investigation.

Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

Describe the trends shown in Figure 5.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain the results obtained for temperatures from 40 ยฐC to 60 ยฐC.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(b)

Some enzymes are involved in the breakdown of food substances.

(b)(i)

Draw one straight line from each food group to the products of digestion for that food group.

Figure for question 4
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Which enzyme breaks down fat?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(c)

Figure 6 shows an enzyme and two substrates, P and Q.

Figure for question 4

Explain the reason why no product will be formed if the enzyme is mixed with substrate Q.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)

Paper 1: Biology 1 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 4 10 marks

(a)

A maths symbol student mixed 10 cm33 of starch solution with 5 cm3 of amylase solution and kept the tube in a water bath at 25 ยฐC.

The student tested the solution for starch and for glucose every 30 seconds.

Figure 5 shows the results.

time in secondsstarch detectedglucose detected
0YesNo
30YesNo
60YesYes
90YesYes
120YesYes
150NoYes
180NoYes
Question 4, shown as an image
(a)(i)

Give one reason for the result at 150 seconds.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Another student repeated the investigation with the same volumes of solutions and at the same temperature of 25 ยฐC.

Give two other variables that would need to be controlled in the investigation.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Both students also included a tube containing 10 cm3 of starch solution with 5 cm3 of distilled water instead of 5 cm3 of amylase solution.

They tested the solution for starch and for glucose every 30 seconds.

Give one reason why this tube was included in their investigations.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(iii)
(b)

Amylase has an optimum pH of 6.8.

Devise a method the students could use to confirm the optimum pH for amylase.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)
(c)

Amylase is produced by salivary glands and the pancreas.

Explain why amylase is not produced in the stomach.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)

Paper 2: Biology 2 November 2020 Higher tier, Question 3 11 marks

Trypsin is a protease enzyme used in the manufacture of food for babies.

(a)(i)

Which food group is digested by trypsin?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The food is mashed before the trypsin is added.

Explain the advantage of mashing the food before adding the trypsin.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(ii)
(b)

A manufacturer of baby food wanted to find out the optimum pH for trypsin.

Equal volumes of different pH solutions were placed in six separate test tubes.

5 cm3 of 1% trypsin solution was added to each test tube.

1.5 g of mashed food was placed in each test tube.

The time taken to digest the food was recorded.

(b)(i)

State one other variable that should be controlled in this investigation.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

State how this variable could be controlled.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)(ii)
(c)

The results are shown in Figure 6.

Figure for question 3
(c)(i)

Describe the trends shown in this data.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

At pH 4, the trypsin digested 1.5 g of mashed food at a rate of 0.8 g per minute.

Calculate the rate of digestion at pH 1.

Give your answer to one significant figure.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(ii)
(c)(iii)

Explain the difference in the rate of reaction at pH 1 and the rate of reaction at pH 4.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)(iii)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2019 Foundation tier, Question 3 9 marks

(a)

Figure 3 shows the activity of the enzymes pepsin and trypsin at different pH

Figure for question 3
(a)(i)

Describe the trend in the graph for the enzyme trypsin.

Use data from the graph to support your answer.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

State the optimum pH for the enzyme pepsin.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Pepsin only works effectively in the stomach.

Describe the conditions in the stomach that allow pepsin to work effectively.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)(iii)
(b)

At high pH values the active site of the enzyme pepsin changes shape.

When the active site of the enzyme changes shape, the enzyme is

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

State what is produced when proteins are digested.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2019 Higher tier, Question 4 9 marks

(a)

Lactase is an enzyme that breaks down lactose into glucose and galactose.

A student made some alginate beads containing lactase.

The student added 10 beads to 20 cm3 of a solution of lactose, as shown in Figure 4.

The student timed how long it took for glucose to be produced.

The experiment was repeated using 15, 20 and 25 beads.

Figure for question 4

The results are shown in Figure 5.

Figure for question 4
(a)(i)

What is the rate of reaction for 25 beads?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

Explain the conclusion that can be made from these results.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

Explain why the same volume of lactose solution was used for each test.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)(iii)
(b)

Devise a method to find the optimum temperature for the enzyme lactase.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 3 10 marks

A student investigated the effect of enzyme concentration on the mass of product formed in one hour. Figure 3 shows the results of this investigation.

Figure for question 3
(a)

Complete the graph by plotting the points and drawing a line to show the trend in the data. The first three points have been plotted for you.

Figure for question 3
[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(a)
(b)

Describe the effect that enzyme concentration has on the mass of product formed.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(b)
(c)

The ratio of enzyme concentration to the mass of product formed, using an enzyme concentration of 40 arbitrary units, is 1:1.

Calculate the ratio of enzyme concentration to product formed when the enzyme concentration is 5 arbitrary units.

ratio........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(c)
(d)

The investigation used the enzyme pepsin from the stomach, at a temperature of 37ยฐC and at a pH of 7.

(d)(i)

Which statement gives one way to increase the mass of product formed in this investigation?

Question 3, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)(i)
(d)(ii)

Explain why a temperature of 80ยฐC was not used in this investigation.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 3(d)(ii)

Paper 1: Biology 1 June 2018 Higher tier, Question 5 12 marks

Potato cells contain the enzyme catalase.

This enzyme catalyses the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

Figure 10 shows what happened when a student placed a potato disc in a 5% hydrogen peroxide solution.

Figure for question 5

The student measured the time taken for the potato disc to rise.

The student repeated the investigation using 10%, 15% and 20% concentrations of hydrogen peroxide solution.

(a)(i)

Which term describes the hydrogen peroxide in this reaction?

Question 5, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(i)
(a)(ii)

The potato discs all had the same mass.

Explain why the student used potato discs with the same mass.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(ii)
(a)(iii)

State two other factors that need to be kept the same to improve this investigation.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(a)(iii)
(b)

Figure 11 shows the results of this investigation.

The student calculated the rate of reaction using

Question 5, shown as an image
concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution (%)time taken for disc to rise (s)rate (sโˆ’1)
53250.003
102450.004
151320.008
20720.014
Question 5, shown as an image
(b)(i)

State and explain a conclusion based on these results.

[4]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

The student repeated the investigation with a 25% hydrogen peroxide solution and recorded a time of 75 seconds.

Calculate the rate of reaction for the 25% hydrogen peroxide solution.

........ sโˆ’1

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

The student decided that the rate for the 25% hydrogen peroxide solution was not anomalous.

Give the reason why the result was not anomalous.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 5(b)(iii)

Paper 2: Biology 2 June 2018 Foundation tier, Question 4 10 marks

Figure 8 shows a British glow-worm.

Figure for question 4
Question 4, shown as an image

Read the following extract before answering the questions.

Female glow-worms produce bright lights in the summer to attract males. Glow-worm larvae are predators of slugs and snails, but adult glow-worms do not feed. Females only have a few weeks to attract a mate and lay eggs, before the females die.

(a)

What will happen if the population of snails decreases?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(a)
(b)

Female glow-worms have an enzyme called luciferase. The glow is produced when this enzyme catalyses a reaction between oxygen and a protein.

A scientist devised a plan to investigate the effect of oxygen concentration on this reaction.

The scientist had:

โ€ข five flasks of water each with a different concentration of dissolved oxygen

โ€ข a solution of the protein

โ€ข a solution of the enzyme.

The first step of this plan is:

Step 1. Add some of the protein solution to each of the five flasks.

(b)(i)

Describe the next two steps that should be in this plan to obtain results for this investigation.

Step 2........

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(i)
(b)(ii)

Which procedure would improve the investigation?

Question 4, shown as an image
[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(ii)
(b)(iii)

The enzyme luciferase works best at pH 8.

Explain why the activity of the enzyme decreases at pH 5.

[2]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(b)(iii)
(c)

Female glow-worms are found attached to grass plants in a large field.

(c)(i)

Describe a sampling technique to find the mean number of female glow-worms in 1 m2 of the field.

[3]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(i)
(c)(ii)

The mean number of female glow-worms in 1 m2 of the field is 5.

The field has a total area of 800 m2.

Estimate the number of female glow-worms in the whole field.

[1]
Reveal mark scheme Mark scheme for question 4(c)(ii)

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