9700_w15_qp_23
A paper of Biology, 9700
Questions:
5
Year:
2015
Paper:
2
Variant:
3

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The enzyme catalase is found in many plant and animal tissues. The enzyme catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, which is a toxic product of metabolism. The reaction is: catalase 2H2O2 O2 + 2H2O A research team investigated the activity of two forms of catalase, P and Q, extracted from Anopheles gambiae, an important vector of malaria. The team investigated the effect of increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide on the activity of these two forms of catalase. The results are shown in . concentration of hydrogen peroxide / mM activity of catalase / arbitrary units catalase P catalase Q With reference to , describe and explain the effect of increasing the concentration of hydrogen peroxide on the activity of catalase P. Each molecule of catalase consists of four identical polypeptides. The two forms of catalase in A. gambiae differ by only one amino acid at position 2 in the amino acid sequence. Catalase P has serine and catalase Q has tryptophan. Suggest how the difference in one amino acid is responsible for the lower activity of catalase Q compared with catalase P. Female mosquitoes feed on blood in order to produce their eggs. After feeding, the metabolic rate increases for egg production. The researchers allowed female mosquitoes to feed on blood. They found that female mosquitoes with only catalase P produced more eggs than those with only catalase Q. Suggest why there is a difference in egg production between the two types of A. gambiae. Metal ions can act as a non-competitive inhibitor of catalase. Explain how copper ions can act as a non-competitive inhibitor. Enzyme inhibitors can also inhibit carrier proteins in cell surface membranes. Explain why carrier proteins are required in cell surface membranes. Describe three roles of cell surface membranes, other than the transport of substances into and out of cells. 1. 2. 3.
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