A student measured the time taken for amylase to break down all the starch in a starch solution at different pH values.
The Table shows the results.
Table
| pH | Time taken for all the starch to be broken down in s |
|---|---|
| 4 | 180 |
| 5 | 90 |
| 6 | 40 |
| 7 | 60 |
| 8 | 150 |
Give the pH at which amylase had the highest rate of activity.
Calculate the rate of reaction at pH 6. Use the equation rate=1000time\text{rate} = \dfrac{1000}{\text{time}}rate=time1000
The student concluded that the optimum pH for amylase is exactly pH 6.
Explain why this conclusion may not be correct.
Explain why the rate of reaction was low at pH 4.
44 exam-style questions on Edexcel GCSE Biology 1.3 Enzymes, covering 1.3.1 Mechanism of enzyme action, 1.3.2 Denaturation of enzymes, 1.3.3 Factors affecting enzyme activity, and 1.3.4 Measuring energy in food by calorimetry. Each one has a worked solution and a mark scheme showing where the marks go.