1. GREEN BOOK REVIEWS – BIOCHEMISTRY
PAGES 15-18

2. Which substance is an inorganic molecule? (1) starch (3) water
Biochemistry
Which substance is an inorganic molecule?
(1) starch (3) water
(2) DNA (4) fat
The enzyme amylase will affect the breakdown of carbohydrates, but it will not affect the breakdown of proteins. The ability of an enzyme molecule to interact with specific molecules is most directly determined by the
(1) shapes of the molecules involved
(2) number of molecules involved
(3) sequence of bases present in ATP
(4) amount of glucose present in the cell
Many biological catalysts, hormones, and receptor molecules are similar in that, in order to function properly, they must
(1) interact with each other at a high pH
(2) interact with molecules that can alter their specific bonding patterns
(3) contain amino acid chains that fold into a specific shape
(4) contain identical DNA base sequences
The failure to regulate the pH of the blood can affect the activity of
(1) enzymes that clot blood
(2) red blood cells that make antibodies
(3) chlorophyll that carries oxygen in the blood
(4) DNA that controls starch digestion in the blood

3. The reaction will slow down because it is below optimal temperature.
The graph to the right shows the effect of substrate concentration on the action of enzyme X. This enzyme is functioning at its optimal temperature, 36°C, and at its optimal pH, 5.5.
When the substrate concentration increases from 0.4% to 0.5%, the rate of the reaction
(1) decreases
(2) increases
(3) remains the same
(4) increases, then decreases
State what would most likely happen to the rate of enzyme action if the temperature
were reduced by 10 degrees. Support your answer.
The reaction will slow down because it is below optimal temperature.
Three days after an organism eats some meat, many of the organic molecules originally contained in the meat would be found in newly formed molecules of
(1) glucose (3) starch
(2) protein (4) oxygen

4. The table to the right lists
enzymes that function in different
locations in the human body, and
the temperature and pH ranges
of these locations.
Different enzymes are secreted in each of the three locations. Ptyalin digests carbohydrates. Pepsin and trypsin both digest proteins. Discuss the activity of these
enzymes. In your answer, be sure to:
• state how the activity of pepsin will most likely change after it moves with the food
from the stomach to the small intestine
• support your answer using data from the table
• state how a fever of 40°C would most likely affect the activity of these enzymes and
support your answer
• identify the characteristic of enzymes that prevents ptyalin and trypsin from
digesting the same type of food
*Pepsin will stop functioning or decrease.
*DATA: pH range for small intestine is Pepsin functions between 1-3.
*40 degrees C fever = slows/stops enzyme function. Optimal is 37 degrees.
*Ptyalin & Trypsin cannot BOTH digest the same food type because enzymes are specific (different shapes).

5. The shape of a protein is most directly determined by the
(1) amount of energy available for synthesis of the protein
(2) kind and sequence of amino acids in the protein
(3) type and number of DNA molecules in a cell
(4) mistakes made when the DNA is copied
Organisms living in a bog environment must be able to tolerate nitrogen-poor, acidic
conditions. Bog plants such as the Venus flytrap and sundew are able to obtain their
nitrogen by attracting and consuming insects. These plants produce chemicals that
break down the insects into usable compounds.
The chemicals present in the plants that break down the insects are most likely
(1) fats (3) enzymes
(2) hormones (4) carbohydrates
Which compounds present in insects are composed of the amino acids that provide
the Venus flytrap and sundew with much of their nitrogen?
(1) proteins (3) carbohydrates
(2) sugars (4) fats
In lakes in New York State that are exposed to acid rain, fish populations are declining.
This is primarily due to changes in which lake condition?
(1) size (3) pH
(2) temperature (4) location

6. Cardinals are birds that do not migrate but spend the winter in New York State. Many
people feed these birds sunflower seeds during the winter months. Explain how the
starches present in the sunflower seeds help the cardinals to survive. In your answer,
be sure to:
• identify the building blocks of starches
• identify the process used to produce these building blocks
• state one way cardinals use these building blocks to survive
*simple sugars / glucose.
*as energy (ATP)
*photosynthesis/ digestion.
Substances X and Y are examples of which kind of molecule?
(1) simple sugar (3) fat
(2) amino acid (4) hormone
Which statement describes a characteristic of molecule Z?
(1) Molecule Z will function at any temperature above 20°C.
(2) Molecule Z is composed of a string of molecular bases represented by A, T, G, and C.
(3) Molecule Z will function best at a specific pH.
(4) Molecule Z is not specific, so this reaction can be controlled by any other chemical in the body.

7. The diagram to the right represents a process that occurs in organisms.
Which row in the chart indicates what A and B in the boxes could represent?
Which statement describes starches, fats, proteins, and DNA?
(1) They are used to store genetic information.
(2) They are complex molecules made from smaller molecules.
(3) They are used to assemble larger inorganic materials.
(4) They are simple molecules used as energy sources.
Explain why substance X would not be likely to digest a different organic compound.
*Its shape makes it specific to only one.

8. The way a protein molecule is folded determines the shape of the molecule, which
(1) Function of that protein
(2) Structure of ATP containing that protein
(3) Type of simple sugars in that protein
(4) Amino acids in that protein
Which statement best describes enzymes?
(1) Every enzyme controls many different reactions.
(2) The rate of activity of an enzyme might change as pH changes.
(3) Temperature changes do not affect enzymes.
(4) Enzymes are produced from the building blocks of carbohydrates.
Which statement describes a similarity between all enzymes, antibodies, and hormones?
(1) Their chemical structure is critical to their ability to function..
(2) Their ability to replicate identical copies.
(3) They work better at 1000C than 370C..
(4) They are made by and carried by the blood.

9. The diagram below represents a model of a biological process that occurs in humans at normal body temperature, 370C.
Increasing body temperature to 400C would interfere most directly with the rate of
function of structure
(1) A (3) C
(2) B (4) D
The shape of a protein is originally determined by the
(1) size of the protein molecule
(2) location of the protein within the cell
(3) arrangement of amino acids in the protein
(4) function the protein must carry out
Which substance is an inorganic molecule?
(1) Starch (3) water
(2) DNA (4) fat