Catalase Enzyme Lab Report

The data from the experiment demonstrates that the catalase enzyme breaks down the hydrogen peroxide due to its harmful toxicity to the liver. In section A, the effect surface area has on the enzyme was tested. The results have proven that as the surface area increases, the reaction rate of the enzyme also increases. To illustrate, when the liver was ground, the bubbles from the reaction reached a maximum height of 150mm in five seconds less than the unground liver which merely reached a maximum height of 120mm. This is due to the fact that the enzymes are more exposed in the ground liver than the unground liver, allowing more enzymes to react with the abundant substrate.

In addition, the temperature affects the rate at which the reaction is completed. To explain, at 0℃, the bubbles in the reaction reached a maximum height of 127mm after 60 seconds. Similarly, when the temperature is raised to 60℃, the reaction takes approximately 65 seconds to reach a maximum height of 90mm as well. This time frame is significantly longer than the time it took to complete the same reaction at room temperature, 25℃, and the maximum height is greater. Therefore, it is proven that at extreme temperatures, both hot and cold, the reaction rate is decelerated. On the contrary, when the temperature is slightly raised to 35℃, the reaction is completed after only 55 seconds, with the bubbles reaching a maximum
As displayed by the table, the only test we receive results in are in the neutral pH level test. This is because the high acidity of the dilute hydrochloric acid and the high levels of basic Sodium hydroxide both have the same denaturing effect on the enzyme. Once the enzyme is completely denatured, it can no longer function properly, leading to no reaction at all.

In sum, the surface area, pH level and temperature are all in direct relation to the reaction rate of the