Sweet potatoes contain nutrients, including starch, vitamin C and proteins - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 6 - 2022
Question 6
Sweet potatoes contain nutrients, including starch, vitamin C and proteins.
(a) Catalase is an enzyme contained in sweet potatoes that speeds up the breakdown of hy... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Sweet potatoes contain nutrients, including starch, vitamin C and proteins - Scottish Highers Chemistry - Question 6 - 2022
Step 1
State what is meant by the term enzyme.
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Answer
An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions in the body without being consumed in the process.
Step 2
Circle a peptide link in the above structure.
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Answer
The peptide link in the structure is between the carbon atom of one amino acid and the nitrogen atom of the adjacent amino acid, forming the bond that connects them.
Step 3
Draw a structural formula for one of the amino acids used to form this section of protein.
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A common amino acid structure is:
H O
\ ||
N--C
/ | \ H
H R OH
Where R represents the side chain specific to the amino acid.
Step 4
State what is meant by the term essential amino acid.
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An essential amino acid is an amino acid that cannot be synthesized by the body and must be obtained through the diet.
Step 5
Name the type of reaction that takes place when amino acids join to form proteins.
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The reaction that takes place when amino acids join to form proteins is called condensation polymerization.
Step 6
Explain fully what happens to the enzyme structure to cause this reduction in activity.
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As sweet potatoes are cooked, the structure of catalase, which is an enzyme, becomes denatured due to the heat. This denaturation alters the enzyme's shape, disrupting the active site where the reaction occurs and ultimately reducing its ability to catalyze the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide.
Step 7
Draw a diagram showing assembled apparatus that could be used to react hydrogen peroxide solution with sweet potato and measure the volume of oxygen produced.
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A suitable apparatus diagram would include a conical flask containing the sweet potato and hydrogen peroxide, a delivery tube leading to a water-filled measuring cylinder to capture the oxygen produced, and labels indicating the sweet potato, hydrogen peroxide, and the collected gas.
Step 8
Explain why antioxidants are added to food.
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Antioxidants are added to food to prevent unwanted oxidation, which can lead to the degradation of food compounds, extending shelf life and preserving nutritional quality.
Step 9
Explain fully why vitamin C is soluble in water.
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Vitamin C is soluble in water because it contains multiple hydroxyl groups (-OH) that can form hydrogen bonds with water molecules, making it polar and allowing it to dissolve easily.
Step 10
Calculate the mass of white potato that could produce a toxic dose to an adult weighing 65 kg.
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To find the toxic dose:
Calculate the total amount of solanine that would be toxic for a 65 kg adult:
Toxic dose = 3 mg/kg x 65 kg = 195 mg.
Determine how much white potato contains 195 mg of solanine:
Solanine content per potato = 0.2 mg.
Mass of potato = Total toxic dose / Solanine content = 195 mg / 0.2 mg/potato = 975 potatoes.
Therefore, it would require approximately 975 potatoes to reach a toxic dose.
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