NZASE UNIT STANDARD ITEM BANK QUESTIONS

Each of the following questions is stand-alone and can be used to assess the element below:

The intention of this item bank is for assessors to develop assessment tasks by choosing complete
questions.

Note: If combining parts of questions, you must make sure all Performance Criteria for an element
are included in the assessment task.

Unit Standard 18978

Number

Unit Standard Title Demonstrate knowledge of biotechnology.

Element 3 Describe the use of an enzyme in biotechnology.

PC 3.1 The description identifies a property of the enzyme.

PC 3.2 The description outlines a function of the enzyme in

biotechnology.
QUESTION A:

1. Describe a property of enzymes that make them suitable for use in biotechnological
processes such as cheese making.
Insert 3 lines.

3.1
Read the following information and then answer the question that follows.

Enzymes in cheesemaking
Enzymes, which occur naturally in milk and those from the bacteria in the starter
culture, can change the milk fats and proteins in the process of ripening the cheese to
produce the tastes and smells that make mature cheese so enjoyable.

2. What is the function of enzymes used in cheese making?

Insert 3 lines
3.2

QUESTION A:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Eg Work at best at optimum A property of enzymes identified.
temperature / pH
Only work on one sort of reaction
3.2 Eg Change the milk fats and proteins Function of enzyme in cheese making given.
Eg Produce the tastes and smells of
mature cheese

QUESTION B:
You have studied the following biotechnological process that uses enzymes.

___________________________________________________________
(teacher to fill in before test)

1. Describe a property of enzymes that make them suitable for use in this
biotechnological process.
Insert 4 lines
3.1

2. Describe the function of the enzyme in the biotechnological process.

Insert 4 lines

3.2

QUESTION B:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Eg Work at best at optimum A property of enzymes identified.
temperature / pH
Only work on one sort of reaction
Not used up
Non-living
3.2 Eg Lactase – prevents lactose Function of enzymes given.
crystallisation in ice cream.
Ligninases – Make the cellulose from
wood waste available.

QUESTION C:

In the box at the end of each sentence print the letter T , if you think the
statement is TRUE , or the letter F if you think the statement is FALSE.

i) Enzymes are not living things.

ii) Enzymes control the speed of chemical reactions in living

things.

iii) Enzymes will work in any conditions as long as they are

inside our body.

iv) Enzymes can be used for stain removal on clothes.

v) If the temperature is too high enzymes are destroyed.

3.1

2. Describe the role that an enzyme plays in a biotechnology process.

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________

3.2

QUESTION C:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 i)=T, ii)=T, iii)=F, iv)=T, v)=T, Any 1 of (i), (ii), (v)
3.2 Eg Chocolate Making. The enzyme Role of enzyme described
makes the inside of the chocolate go
soft.
QUESTION D:

The following information is about enzymes used in making food.

Today, enzymes are used to make an increasing range of foods: bakery, cheese making,
starch processing and production of fruit juices and other drinks. Here, they can
improve texture, appearance and nutritional value, and may give nice flavours and
aromas.

In food production, enzymes have a number of advantages:

• They can replace synthetic chemicals in many processes. This results in
lower energy use and the enzymes are biodegradable.
• They are more specific in their action than synthetic chemicals. They made
fewer waste by-products, giving higher quality products and reducing the
likelihood of pollution.
• They allow some processes to be carried out which would otherwise be
impossible. An example is the production of clear apple juice concentrate,
which relies on the use of the enzyme, pectinase.

1. Describe a property of enzymes that make them suitable for use in biotechnological
food making processes.
Insert 3 lines.

3.1
2. What is the function of enzymes used in food making?
Insert 3 lines
3.2

QUESTION D:
PC Evidence Judgement
3.1 Eg lower energy use, biodegradable, A property of enzymes identified
specific, fewer waste by-products,
giving higher quality products, less
pollution, allow some processes to be
carried out which would otherwise be
impossible.
3.2 Eg improve texture, improve Function of enzymes given
appearance, improve nutritional
value, give nice flavours, give nice
aromas.