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Required Practical 5: Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity
Part of Enzymes in Digestion — GCSE Biology
This exam tips covers Required Practical 5: Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity within Enzymes in Digestion for GCSE Biology. Enzyme structure and function, digestive enzymes, factors affecting enzyme activity, lock and key model, and practical investigations It is section 10 of 19 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Topic position
Section 10 of 19
Practice
20 questions
Recall
25 flashcards
Required Practical 5: Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity
Investigating how pH affects amylase activity:
Method
- Set up test tubes with different pH buffer solutions (pH 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
- Add the same volume of starch solution to each tube
- Add the same volume of amylase enzyme to each tube
- Test samples every 30 seconds with iodine solution
- Record time taken for starch to completely disappear (iodine stays orange)
- Plot graph of pH vs time taken (or rate of reaction)
Expected Results
- pH 7: Fastest rate (optimal for amylase)
- pH 5-6 and pH 8-9: Slower rates
- Extreme pH: Very slow or no reaction (enzyme denatured)
Control Variables
- Temperature (use water bath)
- Enzyme concentration
- Substrate concentration
- Volume of solutions
- Time intervals for testing