Catalase Activity Lab

Research Question: How will an increase of FeSO4 concentration affect the activity of the enzyme catalase?

Hypothesis: By increasing the concentration of FeSO4, there will be a decrease in the activity of the enzyme catalase because the Iron (ii) in the metallic ion will act as an inhibitor during the catalysis of the hydrogen peroxide into O2 and H2O.

Introduction:
We rely on oxygen to provide us with energy (ATP) and go through all the phases of aerobic respiration. However, oxygen can be harmful to humans and can cause problems if not carefully regulated. Our cells can create a great range of antioxidant enzymes to fight and control the dangerous hydrogen peroxide and catalase is one of them. Catalase can convert hydrogen peroxide into
- Temperature (21°C)
- Time (±0.01 sec. stopwatch was used to keep the buffer solution and FeSO4 with catalase for 30 seconds. Then the H2O2 solution was added and this was given a further 90 seconds)
- Apparatus

Materials:
- Gloves
- Safety goggles
- Buffer solution pH 7
- Distilled water
- Solution of H2O2
- 0M, 0.2M, 0.4M, 0.6M, 0.8M, 1M solutions of FeSO4
- Scalpel
- Forceps
- Petri dish
- Balance (±0.01 g)
- Stopwatch (±0.01 seconds)
- Pipettes
- Boiling tube
- Two 10 cm3 measuring cylinders (±0.05 cm3)
- Delivery tube with cork
- Beakers
- Thermometer
- 100 cm3 gas syringe (±0.50 cm3)
- Clamp and stand

Procedure:
1. Gather all materials and set up the apparatus.
2. Create the different FeSO4 solutions:
a) 0 mol dm-3 used no FeSO4
b) 2 cm3 1M FeSO4 and 8 cm3 distilled water for 0.2 mol dm-3
c) 4 cm3 1M FeSO4 and 6 cm3 distilled water for 0.4 mol