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Enzyme Lab Report
Effects of pH on the Function of Enzymes
Rena Mototani
Glen Rock High School
Advanced Biology
2014-2015

Effects of pH on the Function of Catalase
Rena Mototani

Problem: How does the pH of a cell affect the function of the enzyme catalase?
Introduction
In this lab, we experimented the effects of pH on the function of the enzyme catalase. Catalase is an enzyme that brings about the reaction by which hydrogen peroxide is decomposed to water and oxygen (Encyclopedia Britannica). The chemical reaction is shown as 2H2O2 = 2H2O + O2 (Keilin and Hartree 397). The reaction involves primarily the adsorption of hydrogen peroxide at the catalase surface. The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase is regarded as involving …show more content…
In this lab this catalase was used to decompose the hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a colorless fluid with the formula H2O2 and it is the simplest peroxide. A solution containing more than 8% of this is corrosive to the skin (Encyclopedia Britannica). Sodium hydroxide, or NaOH is a manufactured chemical that is a base and present in several domestic cleaning products (www.atsdr.cdc.gov). In this lab we use 0.1M and 0.5M of this solution which is 13pH and 13.7pH (Helmenstine). On the other hand, hydrochloric acid is an acid used in the production of chlorides, fertilizers, and dyes, in electroplating, and in the photographic, textile, and rubber industries. Hydrochloric acid is corrosive to the eyes, skin, and mucous membranes (www.epa.gov). In this lab we use 0.1M and 0.5M of this solution which is 0.3pH and 0.1pH (Helmenstine). Finally, water, H2O is a substance all organisms need to survive and it has the pH of 7 …show more content…
I predict that if the potato has a neutral pH (close to 7), then the function of catalase will be at its maximum capacity because our bodies have a neutral pH and our livers, which contain catalase, work perfectly fine even in these conditions. This study is worth pursuing because catalase helps in the process of breaking down harmful chemicals such as hydrogen peroxide into unharmful substances such as water and oxygen and if we are able to find out the environment in which catalase works best, we can further our knowledge on catalase and possibly detoxify substances that are severely toxic, in the future. Scientists can possibly detoxify substances such as lead which is a major toxin to us, with the help of enzymes, after we uncover more information on
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