Biology - EC: BIO.A.2.3.2
Biology - EC: BIO.A.2.3.2
Continuum of Activities
The list below represents a continuum of activities: resources categorized by Standard/Eligible Content that teachers may use to move students toward proficiency. Using LEA curriculum and available materials and resources, teachers can customize the activity statements/questions for classroom use.
This continuum of activities offers:
- Instructional activities designed to be integrated into planned lessons
- Questions/activities that grow in complexity
- Opportunities for differentiation for each student’s level of performance
Related Academic Standards / Eligible Content
Activities
- Define the term pH and explain its role in the functioning of enzymes.
- Explain how a drastic increase in the concentration of an enzyme’s substrate could effect the functioning of that enzyme.
- The effect of pH on a certain enzyme is shown in the graph below. At what pH level would the enzyme be most effective? Explain.
- Normal rain has a pH of approximately 5.5. Explain the approximate pH of acid rain.
- Use the graph below and your knowledge of biology to answer the following question.
If stomach pH were normally 2.5, would this enzyme be effective in the stomach? Explain your answer.
- When an individual is infected with the Flu they tend to have a fever (body temperature over 100 degrees F). What effect could this change in body temperature have on the enzymes that function best at normal body temperature?
Answer Key/Rubric
- Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- The term pH describes the level of acidity of a substance.
- Enzymes function best at specific pH levels.
- Enzymes located in an area that has the wrong pH can lose their shape.
- Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
The enzyme could become saturated and would not work as quickly.
- Answers may include, but are not limited to:
The enzyme will be most effective when it reaches a pH of 6. This is because the enzyme has reached the optimum pH where it is most active and therefore is functioning at its highest level.
- Less than 5.5 (0 - 5.4)
- Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
It would not be effective because it works best at a pH of 6 and would barely be able to perform its function at 2.5.
- Acceptable responses include, but are not limited to:
- The enzymes could lose their shape
- The enzymes would not function correctly.
- The enzymes could be destroyed.
