Factors Affecting the Rate of Enzyme Activity Lab Essay Example
Factors Affecting the Rate of Enzyme Activity
Justin Hunter
G. Kim
September 16, 2011
September 26, 2011
Abstract
Catalase is a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms that is frequently used by cells to rapidly catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into less reactive oxygen and water molecules. Catalase is a protein that is most commonly found in the liver. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect that changes in temperature and pH have on the function of the enzyme catalase. Five test tubes were collected and cleaned. The first was used as a control and the effects of a normal catalase reaction at room temperature were recorded. The speed of the reaction was rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being a very fast reaction and 0 being a very slow reaction (This scale was also used to rate the rest of the reactions in this experiment). The second and third test tubes were used to determine the effects of a catalase reaction at a high temperature and a low temperature, respectively. The fourth test tube was filled with HCl to make it acidic and the fifth test tube was filled with NaOH to make it basic. Five pieces of fresh liver were cut and each piece was placed in a separate tube. The reactions were rated and recorded. It was found that if an enzyme is exposed to high temperatures, the rate of enzyme activity would increase but only up to a certain point. When it reached this point, the enzyme would start to denature. This also held true for when an enzyme was taken too far out of its pH range. When exposed to extremely low temperatures, the enzyme would not denature but the rate it catalyzed reactions would decrease instead. Thus it was concluded that an enzyme functions best when not exposed to extreme temperatures or pH levels.
Introduction The chemical reactions occurring in the liver are controlled by catalase. This experiment tested the effect of different temperatures, and pH’s on the reaction rate of the
Justin Hunter
G. Kim
September 16, 2011
September 26, 2011
Abstract
Catalase is a common enzyme found in nearly all living organisms that is frequently used by cells to rapidly catalyze the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into less reactive oxygen and water molecules. Catalase is a protein that is most commonly found in the liver. The purpose of this experiment was to determine the effect that changes in temperature and pH have on the function of the enzyme catalase. Five test tubes were collected and cleaned. The first was used as a control and the effects of a normal catalase reaction at room temperature were recorded. The speed of the reaction was rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being a very fast reaction and 0 being a very slow reaction (This scale was also used to rate the rest of the reactions in this experiment). The second and third test tubes were used to determine the effects of a catalase reaction at a high temperature and a low temperature, respectively. The fourth test tube was filled with HCl to make it acidic and the fifth test tube was filled with NaOH to make it basic. Five pieces of fresh liver were cut and each piece was placed in a separate tube. The reactions were rated and recorded. It was found that if an enzyme is exposed to high temperatures, the rate of enzyme activity would increase but only up to a certain point. When it reached this point, the enzyme would start to denature. This also held true for when an enzyme was taken too far out of its pH range. When exposed to extremely low temperatures, the enzyme would not denature but the rate it catalyzed reactions would decrease instead. Thus it was concluded that an enzyme functions best when not exposed to extreme temperatures or pH levels.
Introduction The chemical reactions occurring in the liver are controlled by catalase. This experiment tested the effect of different temperatures, and pH’s on the reaction rate of the