DP Chemistry (last assessment 2024)
Question 18M.3.hl.TZ1.b
| Date | May 2018 | Marks available | [Maximum mark: 1] | Reference code | 18M.3.hl.TZ1.b |
| Level | hl | Paper | 3 | Time zone | TZ1 |
| Command term | Outline | Question number | b | Adapted from | N/A |
b.
[Maximum mark: 1]
18M.3.hl.TZ1.b
An inhibitor reduces the rate, V, of an enzyme-catalysed reaction.
Outline the significance of the value of the Michaelis constant, Km.
[1]
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
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”.
[1 mark]
