Biology Summary

Year 11/12 dot point 1-2!

BIOLOGY SUMMARY -

1) Most organisms are active in a limited temperature

range!
1.1 - Students to learn: !
identify the role of enzymes in: metabolism, describe their chemical composition and
use a simple model to describe their specificity on substrates!

What is an Enzyme?!
Enzymes are biological catalysts. This means that they lower the energy required to
start a chemical reaction within a cell but do not get used up by that reaction. Every
reaction and process within a cell (metabolism) is controlled by a specific enzyme.!
Enzymes are globular proteins whose shapes are specialised so that other chemicals
(substrates) can form a temporary bond with them. There are two models used to show
how an enzyme work:!
1) One model used to illustrate the action of an enzyme is the lock-key model. This is
where only one small part of the enzyme molecule can form a complex with the
substrate. This part of the molecule is called the active site. Only a specific substrate
(or substrates) can bond in that site and this makes the enzyme specific to that
substrate.!

2) The induced fit model, a more recent modification on the lock-key model, proposes
that the active site slightly changes its shape to accommodate the substrate perfectly.!

BIOLOGY SUMMARY -

1.2 Sudents to learn!

Identify the pH as a way of describing the acidity of a substance!
pH is a scale from 0 - 14, 0-6 being acidic & 8-14 being alkaline. 7 is neutral (water)!
what effects do the following have on Enzyme activity?!
-

Temperature!

pH!

My first hand investigation consisted of:!

Comparing enzyme activity (Catalyse) in relation to variations of temperature & pH by
measuring the height of bubbles coming off the liver.!
Hypothesis: Energy is required for a more violent reaction but enzymes each have their
preferred temperature range and pH level before they denature, so as temperature & pH
vary, so will enzyme activity until they reach a point of denaturing, therefor reducing
enzyme activity. !
Temperature range (degrees Celsius)

Average height of bubbles (cm)

10-15

4.0

20-25

5.7

30-35

6.0

40-45

5.2

50-55

3.6

60-65

2.2

Solution

pH level

Average height of bubbles (cm)

Hydrochloric acid

0.4

Citric acid

1.2

Tap water

4.9

Ammonium

3.6

Sodium Hydroxide

10

1.2

Both sets of data and trends support the hypothesis. There was an increase in bubble
height until a peak (optimal level) was reached and after that, bubble height decreased.!

!
!
BIOLOGY SUMMARY -

!
1.3) Explain why the maintenance of a constant internal environment is important
for optimal metabolic efficiency?!
1) Enzymes control all the metabolic processes in the body.!
2) Enzymes work optimally in an environment where their optimum temperature and pH
conditions are met. At temperatures and pH values other than the optimum, the enzymes
fail to work as efficiently as they should or not at all.!

!
!

1.4) Describe
homeostasis as the
process by which
organisms maintain a
relatively stable
internal environment?!
What is homeostasis?!
Homeostasis is the
process by which the
internal environment is
kept at a constant state,
regardless of the
external environmental
conditions. !
This includes conditions, such as temperature, pH, gas levels, water and salt
concentrations. This allows the enzyme's optimal conditions to be met and the body to
work efficiently and kept as stable as possible.!
1.5) Explain that homeostasis consists of two stages: !
! !
! !

detecting changes from the stable state!

counteracting changes from the stable state!

1) A receptor detects a change in the external environment, for example, sensory

neurons in the skin pick up a decrease or increase in temperature surrounding the
body.!
2) An appropriate response occurs that counteracts the changes and therefore maintains
the stable environment, for example, shivering to generate heat in muscles.!

1.6) Outline the role of the nervous system in detecting and responding to
environmental changes:!

The central nervous system consists of the brain and spinal chord, both of these systems
are involved relaying messages in the processes needed for homeostasis. !

BIOLOGY SUMMARY -

Stimulus
Receptor
Messenger

CNS

- Environmental (internal / external) i e

heat or chemical change

- Sensory receptor detects a change i e !

heat = thermo receptor

- Relays message from receptor to Central

Nervous System (CNS)

- Processes information and triggers a

new impulse to counteract

Messenger

- Motor nerve relays message back to

receptors

Effectors

- Muscles react to the impulses

Response

- Reaction i e shivering, goosebumps,

sweating etc

BIOLOGY SUMMARY -