Determining The Optimum Ph Of An Enzyme Catalase

Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up chemical reactions by lowering the amount of activation energy needed to start the reaction and let the reaction occur at temperatures found in living cells. The way that enzymes do this is explained with the lock and key hypothesis. This hypothesis says enzymes have a specific shape called the active site which is different between different enzymes. Molecules called the substrate that participates in the reaction also have a specific shape that can fit into the active site. The substrate then binds to the active site creating an enzyme-substrate complex and the reaction takes place with less energy being needed. After the reaction occurs, products are produced from the substrate. Another hypothesis
Temperature and pH will both effect and change the active site of an enzyme. Denaturing, the changing of the shape of an enzyme, will occur if a big enough change in temperature and pH to go away from that enzyme’s optimal conditions. Each enzyme has optimal conditions which is the best temperature and pH for that enzyme to function. When temperature and pH move away from those conditions the enzyme could slow down its rate of activity or not work at all due to denaturing. If the enzymes stay where they are at these conditions, then the enzyme will be in good shape and work
In doing this experiment we were able to witness a chemical take place and products being produced. The same ingredients that were used in part one of this lab are used in this part, but in contrast to part one this part will vary the pH of the enzyme solution. The enzyme, again, is catalase, the substrate is hydrogen peroxide, and the products are the oxygen bubbles that are produced. Also, in this lab the time it takes for each disc to rise to the surface of the hydrogen peroxide solution determines which pH the reaction occurs the fastest at. So, the lowest average number of seconds for the disc to return to the surface of the solution at the different pH levels will conclude the fastest reaction. The optimal pH for catalase is most likely seven since catalase can be found in most organs in the body like the liver and most of the body is made of water. By knowing this one can deduce that the optimal pH for catalase is 7 since water’s pH is 7 and the enzyme resides in places where there is plenty of water