1.P.1 Identify data sources, plan, choose equipment and perform a FHI to test the effect; increased temperature, change in pH and change in substrate concentrations on the activity on the activity of a named enzyme
Introduction: Enzymes are catalysts which aid in process of chemical reactions within living organisms. Enzymes increase the rate of biochemical reactions without causing any permanent chemical change to itself. A substrate is the chemical substance on which the enzymes acts upon. Enzymes require different conditions in order to maintain maximum efficiency. Without these conditions being as the enzyme requires, it may affect the activity of an enzyme to the point where is no longer serves its vital function.
Three factors are temperature, pH and substrate concentration. Catalase is an enzyme that is found in most living cells in the blood that catalyses the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen. Aim: to test the effect of temperature increase, change in pH and change in substrate concentrations on the enzyme; catalase, in the form of potato
Hypothesis: the optimum temperature for catalase is room temperature, so the enzyme will react best with the beaker of water around 27-30°c. The optimum pH for catalase is around neutral (7) so the catalase’s rate of activity will be best in the water compared to the acid and alkaline. The test tube with the most hydrogen peroxide will react the most and produce the greatest height of bubbles.
Risk assessment:
1. Wear safety precautions, such as a goggles when handling the chemicals, especially hydrogen peroxide and hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide because these chemicals are corrosive and can cause skin damage
2. Handle equipment such as the Bunsen burner and glass apparatus carefully to prevent injury
Materials:
3 x potato
- 30ml sodium hydroxide (NaOH) 1M
- 1 x potato borer
- 10 x litmus paper and pH colour