Catalase Lab

From the graphs, it is evident that an increase in both catalase concentration and substrate concentration resulted in a higher rate of reaction or, as observed in the kPa graphs, a higher volume of O2(g) formed at the end of the 5 minute trial. Interestingly, it should also be noted, as it was mentioned in the Figure 2, that the trend for the 6mL of 3% H2O2(aq) was more of a linear trend than an exponential decay, steadily rising until the end of the 5 minute trial. From this, it can be inferred that this trial experienced a saturation point for the enzyme (catalase) to substrate (H2O2(aq)) concentration ratio. Thus, to truly understand this, the trial time period should be extended insofar that a declination in the rate of the reaction can be observed with multiple trials. If the trends of the independent trials coincide with one another, then it is plausible that a saturation point may have been a factor of the linear-like trend. This case will be further discussed in one of the five major factors that influence enzyme activity: enzyme concentration, substrate concentration, pH, metal salts, and temperature. Note that the data from the three latter variables were acquired from peers and will be used to support results.
The first factor studied in this experiment was the effect of enzyme concentration on the rate of the reaction. From the graphs, it is clear that by increasing the enzyme concentration, the reaction proceeded forwardly at quicker rates of formation of O2(g) which, because it is a product, indicates the quickening of the rate of reaction. Though the results initially seemed linear, upon