Nathan Brooks 2B

Enzyme Lab
Pre-AP Biology

Experiment 1

Experimental Question

What is the effect of temperature on the catalase mediated reaction?

Hypothesis

If hydrogen peroxide is added to the liver extract at room temperature, then the oxygen
bubbles that follow will climb up the furthest.

Data Table











Graph




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22 degrees Celsius 100 degrees Celsius
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Temperature (C)
Effect of Temperature on Enzyme
Function
The Effect of Temperature on the Catalase Mediated Reaction
Temperature (Celsius) Height of Oxygen Bubbles (mm)
Room Temperature (22 Celsius) 92.5 (avg)
100 degrees C 15 (avg)




Experiment 1 Conclusion


When the hydrogen peroxide was poured into the liver extract, the enzymes broke apart the
hydrogen and oxygen and created oxygen bubbles that went high up the test tube. The enzyme
was in the liver extract, the substrate was the hydrogen peroxide, and the products were
hydrogen and oxygen. The calalase mediated reaction was measured by marking the highest
the oxygen bubbles expanded with a ruler. This is a good way to measure because the more
oxygen bubbles that appear, the more the enzymes worked to split the substrate, hydrogen
peroxide. Some of the constants were the test tubes, amount of liver extract, and amount of
hydrogen peroxide. These constants are needed to perform a good experiment because each
individual test needs to be the same with a minimal amount of variables. When the liver extract
was placed at room temperature, the bubbles rose very high, and seemed to work very well.
This temperature is close to regular body temperature, so I would expect this, However, the
boiling temperature, 100 degrees Celsius, did not work well at all. There was little to no bubbles,
and this would not work at all well for the body. The way this experiment worked, the higher the
temperature, the lower the number of reactions. Therefore, the higher the fever, the more
energy the body must use to encourage chemical reactions, and it will slow the immune
system's work.

Experiment 2

Experimental Question
\
What is the effect of pH on the catalase mediated reaction?

Hypothesis

If the pH level is neutral, then the enzymes will function more effectively and efficiently..

Data Table











Graph


The Effect of pH on the Catalase Mediated Reaction
pH Level

Height of Oxygen Bubbles
(mm)___________________________
Acid 35
Neutral 70
Base 25




Experiment 2 Conclusion


We had to wear lab aprons and goggles to protect our bodies from the hydrogen peroxide and
liver extract, and had to be especially cautious around the hot plate. We also had to handle the
test tubes with care as to not let them fall on the ground and shatter. As shown in the graph, the
neutral pH worked the best, and the acid worked slightly better than the base. The neutral pH
works the best because that is closest to the actual pH of blood, which is 7.4. I accept my
hypothesis because it reflects the outcome of the experiment. Water has a neutral pH in its
natural form. This means that the enzymes will work close to best in those conditions. Each
experiment could have multiple repetitions involved, as well as smaller increments of
temperature and pH levels, so the results and reflect a more effective pH or temperature level.
The estimated best environment for the catalase mediated reaction is in about 22 degrees
Celsius heat, and a neutral (7) pH level.



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Neutral Acid Base
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pH Level
Effect of pH on Enzyme Function
Effect of pH on Enzyme
Function