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Plant materials containing cellulose and other polysaccharides are reacted with acids to break them down to produce glucose - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2016 - Paper 1

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Plant materials containing cellulose and other polysaccharides are reacted with acids to break them down to produce glucose. This glucose is then used by yeast cells... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:Plant materials containing cellulose and other polysaccharides are reacted with acids to break them down to produce glucose - VCE - SSCE Biology - Question 2 - 2016 - Paper 1

Step 1

a. Why is fermentation important for yeast cells?

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Answer

Fermentation is crucial for yeast cells as it allows them to convert sugars into energy in the absence of oxygen. This process produces ATP, which is essential for cellular functions, especially when oxygen is limited.

Step 2

b. What are the products of fermentation in yeast cells?

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The primary products of fermentation in yeast cells are ethanol (or alcohol) and carbon dioxide. These compounds result from the breakdown of glucose during the fermentation process.

Step 3

c. Design an experiment to test the hypothesis that one of the furans, called furfural, is an inhibitor of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

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Answer

To test the hypothesis, follow these steps:

  1. Independent variable: Presence or absence of furfural.
  2. Control setup: Prepare two sets of yeast cultures, one with furfural and one without.
  3. Same glucose concentration: Ensure both setups contain the same amount of glucose to provide a consistent substrate for fermentation.
  4. Measure product: The dependent variable will be the amount of carbon dioxide produced over a set period, which indicates the rate of fermentation.
  5. Repetition: Repeat the experiment multiple times to ensure reliability and account for variability in the results.

Step 4

d. Explain how furfural could act as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

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Furfural may act as a competitive inhibitor by binding to the active site of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase, preventing the actual substrate (ethanol) from binding. This competition reduces the overall rate of the enzymatic reaction, leading to decreased fermentation efficiency as it limits the conversion of substrates into products.

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