Effect of Catalase at Different Temperatures

Effect of Catalase at Different Temperatures
Abstract
The role of this experiment is to determine the effect of temperature on enzymatic activity. The results of the experiment were the colder the temperature the slower the reaction rate and the hotter the temperature the faster the reaction rate.

Introduction
Enzymes are chemical substances found in living cells and they act as catalysts of the various chemical reactions that occur in them.(Preszler, 2012) They bind to substrates that have binding sites that are specific to each enzyme and remain unchanged by the reaction. Enzymes work best at a certain temperatures. Too cold, and it's very sluggish. Too hot, and the enzyme breaks down (denatures). Therefore the hypothesis of the experiment is that the colder the temperature becomes the slower the reaction rate.
This hypothesis was tested by placing enzymes solution (catalase) in three different temperatures, the colder the temperature the slower the enzyme soaked paper would take to reach the top.

Methods
To find the effect of temperature on the activity of an enzyme, the experiment deals with the steps as follows. First, 3 beakers filled with the enzyme solution, 3 test tubes with the hydrogen peroxide, 3 pieces of the filter paper. These three test tubes were set at three different temperature settings. The first test tube was placed in dry ice for three minutes until it reached a temperature of 0° C or less. The second tube’s temperature setting was at room temperature until a temperature of 22°C was reached. The third tube was placed in a warm-water bath until the contents of the beaker reached a temperature setting of 37° C. The beakers were also put in the three different temperatures. Once both were out the filter paper was soaked into the enzyme solution. The paper was dropped in the hydrogen peroxide, once the filter paper hit the bottom a stop watch was use to time the paper as it floated up to the top. This was done 6 times total. The independent variable is the temperature. Dependent was the time the paper took to float to the top.
Results

The reaction times are all different with each temperature. The test tubes in the warm water bath had a faster reaction rate, room temperature was a medium rate and dry ice had the slowest reaction rate.

Discussion
This experiment on enzymes was done to help convey how there are environmental factors that have an effect on the activity of an enzyme. From the results that were given the hypothesis was in fact true. The colder the temperature becomes the slower the reaction rate. The warm bath water was the faster of the two. Room temperature was in the middle, with not to fast nor slow. In conclusion I think the experiment on enzymes was an interesting one and most important the hypothesis was correct.

Reference 1. Preszler, R.W., Hass, L.L., Marion, A.L. & Urquidi, L. 2012. Cellular and Organismal Biology Lab Manual. New Mexico State 10th Edition. United States