Date | May 2021 | Marks available | 1 | Reference code | 21M.1.HL.TZ1.8 |
Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 1 | Time zone | Time zone 1 |
Command term | Question number | 8 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
The graph shows the progress of the same enzyme-controlled reaction at two different temperatures.
Which statement is clearly supported by the data?
A. The amount of product produced initially occurs at a lower rate at 40 °C
B. The optimum temperature for the reaction is 40 °C
C. The lower the temperature, the slower the rate of the reaction
D. The enzyme is denatured at 40 °C
Markscheme
C
Examiners report
About 60 % of candidates answered correctly, but the discrimination index was lower than expected. Answers A and D could be rejected relatively easily. B and C both fit the data on the graph, but are not proved by it. Of the two, C is the better answer because with curves for only two temperatures, neither of them is likely to be the optimum, whereas the rate is clearly lower for 40 °C than 20 °C, supporting the statement that the lower the temperature the slower the rate.