SBI4U Unit 1: Biochemistry

PRACTICE TEST ANSWERS

Multiple Choice /12

1. D 2. D 3. A 4. B 5. D

6. A 7. C 8. B 9. C 10. C

11. C 12. E

Communication /5:
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5 5

Correct use of science Few science symbols, Some science symbols, Most science symbols, Science symbols,
symbols, vocabulary, vocabulary, and vocabulary, and vocabulary, and vocabulary, and
and conventions conventions are used conventions are used conventions are used conventions are used
throughout the test correctly. correctly. correctly. correctly.
Diagrams /8
#1 1. Name of molecule
#2 2. Name of molecule
Amino Acid - protein Unsaturated fatty acids - lipid

3. Name of molecules
Carbohydrate – Glucose

4. Name of building block

Phosphate or nucleotide - amino acid

5. Name of macromolecule.
6. Name of Process
Ribose sugar
Enzyme reaction – lock and key

7. Name of molecule. 8. Name of process.

Glycerol Exothermic reaction
Thinking and Inquiry /10
1. Complete the following table. 

Functional Group Name Structural Formula Biological Molecule

Aldehyde OH - C Glucose

Carbonyl Carbohydrate

P
Phosphate | Nucleotide
P-O-P
|
P

Thiol -- S -- H Amino Acid

11. The structure of pantothenic acid, a component of Coenzyme A, is shown

in the following diagram. Label three different functional groups. 
Amine

Hydroxyl

Carboxyl Carbonyl

13. The following table shows the results of an experiment to study enzyme activity.
Interpret the data, and comment on the enzyme activity at 40 C. Why does the rate of
enzyme activity decrease between 40 C and –50 C? Why is there no enzyme activity
at 70 C? Explain your answers. 
This chart of data represents Rate of enzyme activity Temperature ( C)
the rate of reaction in relation
to the optimal temperature. An 0 0
emzyme has an optimal range 1 10
where it will react at it's peak 4 20
efficiency. 8 30
The data shows that this 13 40
enzyme works most efficiently 10 50
1 60
0 70
 at between 30 and 50 degrees,
likely denaturing above 50 and
not working at all
at temperatures below 30.

Communication /5:

1. a) Explain what is meant by enzyme specificity. Give two examples to

support your explanation. 
Specificity is the ability of an enzyme to choose exact substrate from a group of similar
chemical molecules. The specificity is actually a molecular recognition mechanism and
it operates through the structural and conformational complementarity between enzyme
and substrate.

b) Briefly describe how an enzyme is able to speed up a chemical reaction. 

An enzyme provides a way to create bonds and break them with the aid of energy.
They speed up reactions by lowering the activation energy required.

2. You have three vegetables, an onion, a potato, and a pepper. You want to know which one contains
more starch because you have a sensitivity to this molecule. Design an experiment to determine which
vegetable contains more starch. 
- Using iodine, I would determine which turns more purple or blue
- I would cut a sample of each vegetable and put it in a dish. Then crush into a pulp and add
distilled water.
- Place a few drops of iodine solution into each one and watch as their colour changes.
- The darkest one will contain the most starch, which I predict to be the potato.

Application /12
1. Deep fried food is popular among fast food restaurants. Using what you know
about macromolecules, explain the difference between a fast food prepped meal
and one that would be coked from a high-end restaurant, or from home. 

Compare saturated and unsaturated fats and how their molecular structures
attribute to their frequent use in fast food while quality taste is preferred in high
end restaurants.

2. “Hydrogen bonding in water gives it some unique properties.”

a) Comment on this statement. 

Allows for a fluid state, as bonds transfer easily, but remain loosely
 connected to create a flow effect. Water molecules are polar which gives
water unique properties, such as a relatively high boiling point, high specific
heat, cohesion, adhesion, and density

b) Name an example of a product that utilizes the materials molecular structure to maximize its
function and explain your reasoning. 

Paper towel – it maximizes the property of hydrogen bonding to soak up water.

3. Olestra is a fat substitute, which is made by attaching six or eight fatty acids to a
sugar molecule. Because Olestra contains more fat molecules than naturally
occurring fats, the body cannot break down Olestra and it passes through the body
undigested. Thus, Olestra contributes fewer calories to the body than naturally
occurring fats. When in the digestive system, however, Olestra absorbs certain
vitamins and nutrients, making them unavailable to the body. Discuss one advantage
and one disadvantage of processing food products, such as snack foods, with Olestra.


Advantage - filling effect but losing weight in children and adult having trouble
maintaining a healthy weight Disadvantage - Those who eat snacks containing this fat
substitute will inevitably lose access to essential viatmins that their bodies need,
especially children who require them in order to grow and develop.
Fat and weight control should be maintained with a healthy balance of exercise and
diet specific to each persons particular body type.

4. Describe the technological applications of enzyme activity in the pharmaceutical industry.

Enzymes can be used to treat certain conditions in topical drugs or digestion inefficiencies.
For example, someone with a lactose intolerance cannot breakdown lactaose
from dairy products and suffer from stomach pains and diarrhea. A pill
containing this enzyme can be consumed prior to consumption, providing the
enzyme to break down this lactose in the food and prevent stomach upset.

6. Identify the following as either anabolic or catabolic and explain why.

a) protein synthesis -
This is an anabolic reaction, as it is the combining of molecules to form one, larger unit
of multiple working parts.

b) digestion – 
This is a catabolic reaction as it requires the breaking down of larger molecules into their
smaller subunites and reuse them for other processes.