Biology Enzyme Lab
Enzyme
Lab 6
03/13/2013
Report by Mary Jo Anthony
I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods III. Results IV. Conclusion and Discussion
Introduction
Background Information: This lab allowed us to study chemical reactions and how catalysts will affect the rate of these reactions. The reaction we studied is the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen and it is vital to life. The molecule hydrogen peroxide is a molecule that is toxic to cells but is also a by product of various cellular activities. (Lab Manual) The breakdown of these molecules to water and oxygen is a slow process. However, the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide inside the cell happens very quickly. This breakdown within the cell happens so quickly because of an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is produced in most cells of the body and the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide can occur with a smaller amount of energy when this enzyme is present. For this lab, we used catalase from beef. In order for chemical reactions to occur they have to be given enough time or extra energy in the form of heat, or both. By adding a catalyst to the reactants, the reactions, can be sped up or may require less energy input. A catalyst is a “chemical agent that selectively increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction”. (Campbell p.152) Catalysts may be reused several times. The reason we use a catalyst is to lower the energy of activation of the reaction. Energy of activation is defined as “the energy required to get the reactions started”. (Lab Manual) Metabolism in living organisms must be conducted quickly and at temperatures low enough to prevent the organism from dying. Using organic catalysts, such as enzymes (protein-based molecules), allows this to occur. Each enzyme in living organisms is specific to a particular kind of reaction and without these enzymes; critical reactions could not take place because they would cause severe
Lab 6
03/13/2013
Report by Mary Jo Anthony
I. Introduction II. Materials and Methods III. Results IV. Conclusion and Discussion
Introduction
Background Information: This lab allowed us to study chemical reactions and how catalysts will affect the rate of these reactions. The reaction we studied is the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen and it is vital to life. The molecule hydrogen peroxide is a molecule that is toxic to cells but is also a by product of various cellular activities. (Lab Manual) The breakdown of these molecules to water and oxygen is a slow process. However, the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide inside the cell happens very quickly. This breakdown within the cell happens so quickly because of an enzyme called catalase. Catalase is produced in most cells of the body and the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide can occur with a smaller amount of energy when this enzyme is present. For this lab, we used catalase from beef. In order for chemical reactions to occur they have to be given enough time or extra energy in the form of heat, or both. By adding a catalyst to the reactants, the reactions, can be sped up or may require less energy input. A catalyst is a “chemical agent that selectively increases the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction”. (Campbell p.152) Catalysts may be reused several times. The reason we use a catalyst is to lower the energy of activation of the reaction. Energy of activation is defined as “the energy required to get the reactions started”. (Lab Manual) Metabolism in living organisms must be conducted quickly and at temperatures low enough to prevent the organism from dying. Using organic catalysts, such as enzymes (protein-based molecules), allows this to occur. Each enzyme in living organisms is specific to a particular kind of reaction and without these enzymes; critical reactions could not take place because they would cause severe