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Date November 2019 Marks available 3 Reference code 19N.3.hl.TZ0.11
Level HL Paper 3 Time zone TZ0
Command term Compare Question number 11 Adapted from N/A

Question

The Michaelis–Menten equation describes the kinetics of enzyme-catalysed reactions.

Outline the significance of the Michaelis constant Km.

[1]
a.

Compare the effects of competitive and non-competitive inhibitors.

[3]
b.

Markscheme

Km is inverse measure of affinity of enzyme for a substrate
OR
Km is inversely proportional to enzyme activity
OR
high value of Km indicates higher substrate concentration needed for enzyme saturation
OR
low value of Km means reaction is fast at low substrate concentration ✔

NOTE: Idea of inverse relationship must be conveyed.
Accept “high value of Km indicates low affinity of enzyme for substrate/less stable ES complex/lower enzyme activity”.
Accept “low value of Km indicates high affinity of enzyme for substrate/stable ES complex/greater enzyme activity”.

a.

NOTE: Accept “outside/away from active site” for “allosteric site”.
Award [1] for any two correct effects from any of the six listed.

b.

Examiners report

[N/A]
a.
[N/A]
b.

Syllabus sections

Options » B: Biochemistry » B.7 Proteins and enzymes (HL only)
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