IB Biology HL C1.1.9 Measuring Enzyme Reactions Questions

Practise IB Biology HL 8.1.9 by designing enzyme assays, calculating reaction rates and evaluating controls, replicates and error bars.

Syllabus
First assessment 2025
Course
Biology HL
Level
HL

Exam points

  • Choose product formation or substrate loss measurements per unit time, using an initial rate to quantify enzyme activity.
  • Identify controlled variables, replicates and error bars, then judge reliability of enzyme-assay results.
  • Calculate or interpret reaction rates from curves and data, and propose practical improvements to the assay.

IB Biology HL C1.1.9 Measuring Enzyme Reactions Questions question 1

[Maximum number: 6]

Laccase is an enzyme that has the ability to decompose synthetic dyes used in the production of clothing and thus could potentially help reduce synthetic dye pollution.

An experiment was performed in which laccase was immobilized in alginate beads to determine the effectiveness of laccase immobilization in decolorizing the dye crystal violet. The graph shows the effect of laccase concentration on relative decolorization activity of the immobilized laccase. Error bars represent ± SD.

Figure for Question IB Biology HL C1.1.9 Measuring Enzyme Reactions Questions question 1 — IB Biology HL

Question (a)

(a)

Deduce the significance of overlapping error bars in the data for laccase concentrations from 3mgml13 \mathrm{mg} \mathrm{ml}^{-1} to 4mgml14 \mathrm{mg} \mathrm{ml}^{-1}.

[ 1 ]

Question (b)

(b)

Discuss the variables that need to be controlled in this investigation.

[ 2 ]

Question (c)

(c)

Suggest how the percentage of decolorization could be obtained experimentally.

[ 3 ]
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