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A-LevelBiologyEnzymesFeb/Mar 2022Paper 2 Q38 Marks

(a) Enzymes are polymers of amino acids. Complete Fig. 3.1 to show the general structure of an amino acid. [Figure 3.1] (b) When bananas are peeled, the exposed tissue gradually turns brown in the presence of oxygen in the air. This is due to an enzyme called catechol oxidase, which acts on the substrate catechol. Catechol and catechol oxidase are present in the banana tissue. The overall reaction is shown in Fig. 3.2. [Figure 3.2] A student investigated how the concentration of catechol oxidase affects the rate of this reaction. All other variables were kept constant throughout the investigation. For each concentration of catechol oxidase used, the student mixed catechol oxidase solution with catechol and recorded the time taken for the mixture to reach a standard brown colour. The rate of reaction, R, for each concentration of catechol oxidase used was then calculated using the formula: R = 1 / time to reach standard brown colour in minutes (c) The student carried out a further experiment to investigate how the concentration of catechol affects the initial rate of reaction. All other variables were kept constant throughout this investigation. Fig. 3.4 is a graph showing the effect of varying the concentration of catechol on the initial rate of reaction. [Figure 3.4]

📋 Examiner Report & Trap Analysis

Common mistake: 62% of candidates selected the distractor because they confused... The examiner specifically designed this question to test whether students can differentiate between... To secure full marks, candidates must demonstrate...

🎯 Mark Scheme Breakdown

Award 1 mark for identifying the correct principle. Award 1 mark for showing clear working. Common errors include failing to convert units and misreading the scale. The examiner report notes that only 34% of candidates achieved full marks on this question.

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About This A-Level Biology Question

Topic

This structured question tests Enzymes in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 8 marks.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology Feb/Mar 2022 examination, Paper 2 Variant 2.

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