How do I analyse this graph?

Firstly, read and understand the background information given in the question. Now, look closely at the graph, observing the titles of both axis; it will be likely that you have seen or even constructed a similar graph before. Take a look at the graph shape and the lines/bars on the graph. Then, locate the points of change that you can see and split the graph into stages. This breaks it down so that it can be more easily analysed. Refer to the background information and the changes on the graph to link the changes to events that took place in the experiment.For instance, you may have a graph showing amylase activity against temperature. Amylase would have been heated to different temperatures and added to starch. You would then time how long it takes for the starch to be broken down. A graph may be time (y-axis) against temperature (x-axis). This would be a curved graph. You should point out the points in which the graph curves up and down. You can now describe that in stage 1, the temperature is too low for enzyme action resulting in a long time. In stage 2, the temperature increases so the time decreases (more E-S complexes through KE). In stage 3, optimum temperature is reached so lowest time to break down starch. In stage 4, the temperature is too high so it has denatured (broken disulfide and hydrogen bonds) the enzyme so that it no longer functions so takes a long/infinite time to break down the starch.

Answered by Aysha M. Biology tutor

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