Biology 9700 · AS & A Level · Protein synthesis

Protein synthesis — practice question

Hydrolytic enzymes may act either inside the cell or after being secreted by it, where they can catalyse reactions.
(a)[1]

State the term used for an enzyme that acts inside the cell.

(b)

The reaction rates of two hydrolytic enzymes, enzyme G and enzyme H, were measured at a range of substrate concentrations. Fig. 3.1 shows the findings. The two enzymes have different values of the Michaelis-Menten constant ($K_m$).

(b(i))[2]

The $K_m$ value for enzyme G is $5\,\text{mmol dm}^{-3}$. Use Fig. 3.1 to work out the $K_m$ value for enzyme H. Show your working.

(b(ii))[2]

With reference to Fig. 3.1, explain how the $K_m$ values for these enzymes provide information about the relationship between the enzymes and their substrates.

(c)[1]

Name the vesicles in the cell that hold hydrolytic enzymes.

(d)[1]

The cell has internal chemical messengers that indicate when an old or damaged mitochondrion should be broken down. Suggest one feature involving mitochondrial structure or function that could lead to the release of these internal signals.

(e)[5]

With reference to Table 3.1, - outline how a mutation causes a single amino acid change in the enzyme glucocerebrosidase and - suggest why the two different amino acid changes, asparagine (Asn) to serine (Ser) and leucine (Leu) to proline (Pro), will lead to differences in the tertiary structure of the enzyme.

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