Enzyme and Metal Ions

Elizabeth Au (1)

Serena Chan (3)

Sharon Chan (4)

Christy Chan (5)

BIOLOGY LAB REPORT

Investigation of the effect of metal ions on enzyme activity

Objective

To study the effect of two heavy metal ions, lead (II) ions and silver ions on the enzyme activity of invertase.

Introduction

Hypothesis:

The rate of enzyme reaction of invertase decreases and the reaction eventually stops as the heavy metal ions inhibit the enzyme reactions.

Biological principle:

Heavy metal ions are non-competitive inhibitors. They do not compete with the substrates for the active sites of enzymes. They attach to other parts of the enzyme molecules and cause changes in the structure of the active site. The substrate molecules can no longer bind to the active sites and the rate of enzymatic reaction decreases. Therefore, they prevent the enzyme reactions from taking place.

Independent Variable:

-Presence or absence of metal ions in the solution

-There are two solutions with two different metal ions and two are replaced by distilled water without metal ions.

Dependent Variable:

-The effect of metal ions on the enzymes activity of invertase

-It can be measured via Benedict's test by the colour change and the quantity of the precipitate formed.

Controlled Variable:

-The amount of the invertase in each solution

-The time of the reaction take place

Control set-up:

Replace the metal ions in the solution by the same volume of distilled water.

Assumptions:

All reducing sugar has reacted with B solution, invertase works well in the given pH and temperature.

Materials and apparatus:

10mM lead (II) nitrate

10mM silver nitrate

50g/L sucrose solution

0.03g/L invertase solution

Benedict's solution

6 test tubes

Measuring cylinder

1 beaker

Bunsen Burner

Tripod

Wire gauze

Heat-proof mat

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Procedures

Silver nitrate

0.5mL of silver nitrate solution is added to 1mL of sucrose solution and the test tube is labeled as A.

0.5mL of distilled water is added to 1mL of sucrose