Practical 3: Enzyme Activity (2.5)
Research Question:
How does the change of pH affect the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on the enzyme, catalase?
Background Information:
Enzymes are globular proteins, which are synthesised by cells in order to perform specific functions. These act as catalysts in chemical reactions and are considered a major factor in an organism as these reaction rates are required to be shortened in order to support life.
Catalase is one of the most important enzymes in living organisms, such as animals, plants and aerobic bacteria due to its capability of decomposing hydrogen peroxide, an extremely dangerous and harmful oxidizing agent to water and molecular oxygen.
Conversion of hydrogen peroxide: 2H2O2 …show more content…
Instead, catalase is found in the periplasmic space of the cell, which is located in between the membranes of the cell wall. In this point, catalase is able to remove toxic molecules that enter the periplasm or catalase may also be released out of the prokaryotic cell to combat other toxic molecules in the environment.
A factor affecting the functionality of catalase is pH, which can also be described as a logarithmic measure of acidity or alkalinity in solutions. pH stands for ‘potential of Hydrogen’ and is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with values lower than 7 considered acidic, values above 7 can be accounted as basic, while a value of 7 is neutral. As the pH values become acidic, enzymes tend to lose hydrogen ions, whilst the opposite occurs in basic values where the enzyme gains hydrogen ions. Nevertheless, both changes in pH will have an effect on enzyme activity.
Personal …show more content…
Mass of catalase
5.00 g of Solanum tuberosum in every pH trial
The same mass of Solanum tuberosum in order to allow pH to be the only factor affecting the rate of decomposition.
Temperature
Room temperature
The same temperature will remain consistent in all trials as temperature is also a factor, which can affect enzyme activity.
Volume of H2O2
5.00 ml of hydrogen peroxide
The same volume of hydrogen peroxide will be used to ensure the rate decomposition isn’t affected by extra or less hydrogen peroxide.
Volume of different pH values
5.00 ml of 2M HCl, 2M NaOH, and H2O
The same volume of added substances will be kept consistent to not increase or decrease the overall volume of the pH, which will be
Research Question:
How does the change of pH affect the rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide on the enzyme, catalase?
Background Information:
Enzymes are globular proteins, which are synthesised by cells in order to perform specific functions. These act as catalysts in chemical reactions and are considered a major factor in an organism as these reaction rates are required to be shortened in order to support life.
Catalase is one of the most important enzymes in living organisms, such as animals, plants and aerobic bacteria due to its capability of decomposing hydrogen peroxide, an extremely dangerous and harmful oxidizing agent to water and molecular oxygen.
Conversion of hydrogen peroxide: 2H2O2 …show more content…
Instead, catalase is found in the periplasmic space of the cell, which is located in between the membranes of the cell wall. In this point, catalase is able to remove toxic molecules that enter the periplasm or catalase may also be released out of the prokaryotic cell to combat other toxic molecules in the environment.
A factor affecting the functionality of catalase is pH, which can also be described as a logarithmic measure of acidity or alkalinity in solutions. pH stands for ‘potential of Hydrogen’ and is measured on a scale of 0 to 14, with values lower than 7 considered acidic, values above 7 can be accounted as basic, while a value of 7 is neutral. As the pH values become acidic, enzymes tend to lose hydrogen ions, whilst the opposite occurs in basic values where the enzyme gains hydrogen ions. Nevertheless, both changes in pH will have an effect on enzyme activity.
Personal …show more content…
Mass of catalase
5.00 g of Solanum tuberosum in every pH trial
The same mass of Solanum tuberosum in order to allow pH to be the only factor affecting the rate of decomposition.
Temperature
Room temperature
The same temperature will remain consistent in all trials as temperature is also a factor, which can affect enzyme activity.
Volume of H2O2
5.00 ml of hydrogen peroxide
The same volume of hydrogen peroxide will be used to ensure the rate decomposition isn’t affected by extra or less hydrogen peroxide.
Volume of different pH values
5.00 ml of 2M HCl, 2M NaOH, and H2O
The same volume of added substances will be kept consistent to not increase or decrease the overall volume of the pH, which will be