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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
Question 2
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?
Answer
Fermentation is crucial for yeast cells as it allows them to convert sugars into energy in the absence of oxygen. This anaerobic process generates ATP, which is essential for various cellular activities, including growth and reproduction.
Step 2
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.
Answer
To test the hypothesis, the following experimental design can be employed:
- Independent Variable: Presence or absence of furfural.
- Controlled Variables: Same amount of glucose and same amount of alcohol dehydrogenase in each trial.
- Experimental Setup: Prepare two groups of yeast cultures: one with added furfural and one without.
- Measurements: Measure the amount of carbon dioxide produced in each setup, as it is an indicator of fermentation activity.
- Repeats: Conduct the experiment multiple times to ensure accuracy and reliability of the results.
Step 4
d. Explain how furfural could act as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.
Answer
Furfural can act as a competitive inhibitor by resembling the substrate that the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase normally binds to. By occupying the active site of the enzyme, furfural prevents the actual substrate from binding, thereby reducing the rate of reaction. This inhibition can be countered by increasing the substrate concentration, which can outcompete the inhibitor.