Abstract
This practical was designed to investigate the effects of temperature on reactions between the enzyme catalase found in animal tissue with the substrate H2O2. The hypothesis stated that an increase in the temperature of the substrate would create a subsequent increase in the rate of reaction between the enzyme and the substrate. This hypothesis was tested by immersing 1cm cubes of animal tissue (sheep liver) which contained the enzyme catalase into the substrate (H2O2 ) mixed with detergent which foamed showing a visual display of the reaction. After 10 seconds the volume of foam was measured, recorded and tabulated, and was then used to find the rate of the reaction. The hypothesis was supported by the results, showing that an increase in substrate temperature does result in an increased rate of reaction.
Introduction
Independant Variable: Temperature (°C )
Dependant Variable: Enzyme catalase reaction rate
Hypothesis: An increase in temperature will result in an increase of the enzyme catalase reaction rate
This experiment was conducted to identify a correlation between temperature, and the rate of enzyme-catalase reaction. Catalase is an enzyme that reduces the amount of activation energy required to break down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a by-product of oxygen metabolism, into water (H2O) and oxygen (O) (http://www.wisegeek.org/). This reaction is refered to as the enzyme catalyzed reaction. Hydrogen peroxide substrate binds to the active site of the enzyme stressing the bonds, ultimately resulting in a release of oxygen and water. An increase in temperature will result in an increased rate of reaction, that is until the optimum temperature is reached, in which case the rate of reaction slows down, the rate of reaction will also slow when a temperature is reached that denatures the enzyme (http://www.worthington-biochem.com/).
Figure 1: Effect of temperature on enzyme catalzed reaction rate