The purpose of this catalase lab is to design simple experiments to demonstrate how various factors affect the rate of enzyme activity. This lab shows how the enzyme decomposes in hydrogen peroxide.
Methods and Materials
Refer to handout attached to the back of lab
Observations
Table 1: The mL of oxygen produced with increase of catalase
30secs
60secs
90secs
120secs
150secs
180secs
Disks: 2
17ml
16ml
21ml
26ml
31ml
35ml
Disks: 4
8ml
19ml
27ml
35ml
44ml
53ml
Disks: 6
15ml
23ml
32ml
44ml
54ml
65ml
Disks: 8
25ml
42ml
70ml
90ml
100ml at 2:20 secs
Disks: 10
29ml
58ml
87ml
100ml at 1:46 secs
Table 2: The mL of oxygen produced with increase of H202
30secs
60secs
90secs
120secs
150secs
180secs
10ml
19ml
25ml
30ml
35ml
40ml
44ml
20ml
24ml
34ml
43ml
54ml
64ml
76ml
30ml
14ml
22ml
26ml
32ml
37ml
42ml
40ml
22ml
29ml
37ml
45ml
52ml
59ml
50ml
23ml
32ml
39ml
42ml
54ml
61ml
Discussion
A catalase is an enzyme that catalyzes the reduction of hydrogen peroxide. This enzyme is vital because it prevents the build-up of H202 in the body. This lab was completed to analyze and experience how H202 is decomposed in different concentrations of catalase and H202. This was done by increasing the number of catalase in the lab with the same amount of H202, and then increasing the amount of H202 with the same amount of catalase to observe results and patterns.
Graph 1 shows the increased decomposition of H202 that was produced when the amount of catalase was increased by 2 disks every time. The more catalase that was added, the faster the decomposition was. The fastest and most efficient decomposition was when there were 10 catalase filter papers in 10mL of H202. The graduated cylinder was filled with oxygen in 1 minute and 46 seconds.
Graph 2 shows that the decomposition rate stayed relatively similar with two catalase disks and different, increasing amounts of H202. This