Catecholase Lab Report
Investigating the Enzymatic Activity of Catecholase through Temperature, pH, Enzyme Concentration, and Substrate Concentration
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Burgess, B.N.
Introduction:
Background
Enzymes are macromolecules that act as catalysts in living organisms by speeding up chemical reactions without being changed or destroyed by the reaction (Campbell and Reece, 2008). Enzymes are able to speed up the rate of a chemical reaction by decreasing the activation energy during the reaction (Garcia-Viloca et al., 2004). Activation energy is the lowest amount of energy needed to begin a chemical reaction (Campbell and Reece, 2008). Few biochemical reactions could take place quickly enough to satisfy the metabolic needs for living …show more content…
Each tube had additional 47, 46, 44, 40, 32, 24, and 16 drops (one tube had no additional drops respectively. Each tube had drops of catechol added with respect to the numbered label (test tube 1 had 1 drop of catechol, test tube 16 had 16 drops, etc.). After these solutions were mixed, each tube was covered with Parafilm and inverted 3-4 times. The film was removed from the tubes and 30 drops of diluted potato juice was added to each, covered with Parafilm again, inverted 3-4 times, and allowed to sit at room temperature uncovered. The tubes were observed and the intensity of the colors in each tube was recorded.
Results:
Table1: Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
Test Tube
Temp. of Solution
Color intensity
10
4°C
++
24
25°C
+++
50
52° C
+
In table 1, the effect of temperature on enzyme activity is shown. At 4°C, test tube 10 showed medium color intensity. At 25°C, test tube 24 showed a high level of color intensity. At 52° C, test tube 50 showed the lowest level of color intensity.
Table2: The effect of pH levels on enzyme activity in solution. In this case, the addition of “+” indicates a more intense color.
Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity pH of Solution
Color Intensity
4
0
5
+
6
+
7
++
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Burgess, B.N.
Introduction:
Background
Enzymes are macromolecules that act as catalysts in living organisms by speeding up chemical reactions without being changed or destroyed by the reaction (Campbell and Reece, 2008). Enzymes are able to speed up the rate of a chemical reaction by decreasing the activation energy during the reaction (Garcia-Viloca et al., 2004). Activation energy is the lowest amount of energy needed to begin a chemical reaction (Campbell and Reece, 2008). Few biochemical reactions could take place quickly enough to satisfy the metabolic needs for living …show more content…
Each tube had additional 47, 46, 44, 40, 32, 24, and 16 drops (one tube had no additional drops respectively. Each tube had drops of catechol added with respect to the numbered label (test tube 1 had 1 drop of catechol, test tube 16 had 16 drops, etc.). After these solutions were mixed, each tube was covered with Parafilm and inverted 3-4 times. The film was removed from the tubes and 30 drops of diluted potato juice was added to each, covered with Parafilm again, inverted 3-4 times, and allowed to sit at room temperature uncovered. The tubes were observed and the intensity of the colors in each tube was recorded.
Results:
Table1: Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
Effect of Temperature on Enzyme Activity
Test Tube
Temp. of Solution
Color intensity
10
4°C
++
24
25°C
+++
50
52° C
+
In table 1, the effect of temperature on enzyme activity is shown. At 4°C, test tube 10 showed medium color intensity. At 25°C, test tube 24 showed a high level of color intensity. At 52° C, test tube 50 showed the lowest level of color intensity.
Table2: The effect of pH levels on enzyme activity in solution. In this case, the addition of “+” indicates a more intense color.
Effect of pH on Enzyme Activity pH of Solution
Color Intensity
4
0
5
+
6
+
7
++