Skip to main content
A-LevelBiologyEnzymesMay/June 2016Paper 1 Q111 Mark

Two enzymes, X and Y, were used in an experiment. Enzyme X was from bacteria that live in rivers and lakes at temperatures from 5°C to 20 °C. Enzyme Y was from bacteria that live in hot water springs at temperatures from 40°C to 85 °C. The experiment measured the concentration of product produced by each enzyme at temperatures between 0°C and 100°C after 5 minutes. Which graph shows the results? [Figure 11.1]

AGraph A: X with optimum around 15°C, Y with optimum around 60°C, similar maximum product concentrations.
BGraph B: X with optimum around 15°C, Y with optimum around 60°C, Y having a higher maximum product concentration than X.
CGraph C: X with optimum around 15°C, Y showing product concentration linearly increasing with temperature.
DGraph D: Both X and Y showing product concentration linearly increasing with temperature, Y higher than X.

✓ Correct Answer

The correct answer is B: Graph B: X with optimum around 15°C, Y with optimum around 60°C, Y having a higher maximum product concentration than X.

📋 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.

🔒

Unlock the Examiner's Analysis

Sign up for free to reveal the full examiner report, trap analysis, and mark scheme breakdown for this question.

Sign Up Free to Unlock →

Join thousands of Cambridge students already using Oracle Prep

About This A-Level Biology Question

Topic

This multiple-choice question tests Enzymes in A-Level Biology (syllabus code 9700). It is worth 1 mark.

Source

This question appeared in the Cambridge A-Level Biology May/June 2016 examination, Paper 1 Variant 2.

Practice on Oracle Prep

Oracle Prep provides AI-powered practice for all Cambridge O-Level and A-Level subjects. Our platform includes topic predictions with 87.7% accuracy, AI essay grading, and a comprehensive question bank spanning 25 years of past papers across 29 subjects.

Related Biology Questions

© 2026 Oracle Prep — The AI-Powered Cambridge Exam Engine