An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of pH on the activity of amylase extracted from barley seeds. The rate of maltose production (µmol min⁻¹) was measured at different pH values as shown below:

pH 4: 12 µmol min⁻¹
pH 5: 28 µmol min⁻¹
pH 6: 45 µmol min⁻¹
pH 7: 50 µmol min⁻¹
pH 8: 38 µmol min⁻¹
pH 9: 20 µmol min⁻¹

(a) Identify the optimum pH for amylase activity.
(b) Calculate the percentage decrease in activity at pH 4 and at pH 9 relative to the optimum.
(c) Provide a brief physiological explanation for the observed pattern.

Question

An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of pH on the activity of amylase extracted from barley seeds. The rate of maltose production (µmol min⁻¹) was measured at different pH values as shown below:

pH 4: 12 µmol min⁻¹
pH 5: 28 µmol min⁻¹
pH 6: 45 µmol min⁻¹
pH 7: 50 µmol min⁻¹
pH 8: 38 µmol min⁻¹
pH 9: 20 µmol min⁻¹

(a) Identify the optimum pH for amylase activity.
(b) Calculate the percentage decrease in activity at pH 4 and at pH 9 relative to the optimum.
(c) Provide a brief physiological explanation for the observed pattern.

Accepted Answer

Optimum pH = 7; 76% decrease at pH 4; 60% decrease at pH 9; explanation as above.

Neco 2023 Biology Question 4

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