Understanding Enzymes Lab
Lab Overview
Throughout this lab we studied an enzyme that is founded in the cells of many living tissues. The name of this enzyme is catalase; which speeds up the reaction that breaks down hydrogen peroxide, a toxic chemical, into two harmless substances~~water and oxygen. This breakdown is very improtant for maintaining homeostasis, because cells create hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) as a by product of numerous normal cellular reactions. If the cells were not able to break down the hydrogen peroxide, then they would have been posioned and died. We studied the catalase found in beef liver cells and chicken. We were able to do this with dead cells because after several weeks the enzyme remains are still intact.
Objectives
1. "The main objectives of this enzyme lab were to measure the effects of change in pH, temperature, and enzyme concentration on reaction rates of an enzyme catalyzed reaction in a controlled experiment."
2. "Explain how environmental factors affect the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions."
2. "Explain how environmental factors affect the rate of enzyme-catalyzed reactions."
Materials
1. Beef Liver
2. Chicken
3. Potato
4. Apple
5. pH paper
6. Stirring rod
7. Thermometer
8. Test tubes
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
2. Chicken
3. Potato
4. Apple
5. pH paper
6. Stirring rod
7. Thermometer
8. Test tubes
9. Hydrogen Peroxide
Other Information
Reaction Rate Scale: 0 = no reaction, 1= slow, . . . 5 = very fast ]
Catalase Reation: [2H2O2 à 2H2O + O2]
Catalase Reation: [2H2O2 à 2H2O + O2]