Biology assessment task 1
Catalase Enzyme Reaction
Ariba Afsheen
Background information
All organisms rely on enzymes to catalyze chemical reactions. An enzyme is a biological catalyst that increases the rate of chemical reaction by lowering the level of activation energy necessary to start the reaction. Without enzymes, many of the chemical reactions that occur within living things would proceed to slowly to be useful. Enzymes speed up these reactions by bringing the reactants into close proximity and facilitating their interaction. Liver contains a specific enzyme called catalase. When hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is added to liver, a chemical reaction occurs which results in the products of oxygen gas (O2) and liquid water (H2O), hence producing a decomposition reaction. Evidently when a decomposition reaction occurs oxygen is the by product and escapes creating prominence of bubbles and heat within the test tube. The higher the efficiency and activity levels of the catalase within the liver the more heat produced in the test tube catalase and h2o2 are directly proportional to one another. Theoretically, enzyme catalase should be most active at internal body temperatures, as internal body temperature is their biological habitat.
This reaction equation can be represented as
2H202 2H20 + O2 * the arrow represents the in the liver catalase reaction
Introduction
In this experiment, I am required investigate the correlation between the temperature of a biological chemical (hydrogen peroxide) and its effect on enzymic activity of the catalase enzyme. This experiment requires understanding regarding the topic of enzymes and the investigative ability to carry out effective experimental designs. Catalase is responsible for breaking down hydrogen peroxide in cells which is produced as a result of cellular respiration, and prevent cell death, by not allowing the chemical to accumulate within the body. This investigation models the action of enzymes in cells where hydrogen peroxide is the substrate and catalase the enzyme representative of the lock and key model.
Aim
The aim of this experiment is to investigate the correlation between temperature of hydrochloric acid and the levels of catalase enzymic activity. Also determine the effects temperature has on the efficiency of the catalase enzyme and test the factors contributing to the highest enzymic activity rate (low temperature extremes and high temperature extremes). The amount of heat and gas produced will be recorded. Any other changes will be noted.
Hypothesis
Enzyme activity will substantially be affected by the change in temperature and will be most active at 37 degrees as that is the average internal body temperature, extremes in temperature will have differing effects on the activity of the enzymes, however the rate of an enzyme catalyzed reaction will increase as the temperature is decreased in comparison to if the temperature is increased. To determine the temperature...
