Practical: The Effect of the Enzyme Catalase from Chicken Livers

on Hydrogen Peroxide
Strand1: SA1, SA2, SA3

Date:
Group Members:

Marks:
/30

/12 (Part A) +

/18 (Part B)

INTRODUCTION:
There are many different reactions that are happening in our bodies all the
time. There are reactions that build up molecules, synthesis/anabolic
reactions, as well as reactions that break down molecules, catabolic
reactions. Together the sum of all anabolic and catabolic reactions in our
bodies makes up our metabolism.
Enzymes are proteins that speed up the rate of reactions that
would otherwise happen more slowly. The enzyme is not altered by
the reaction and so has the ability to work again and again. You have
hundreds of different enzymes in each of your cells that perform hundreds
of different functions; however each enzyme is specific for one particular
reaction. All enzymes function best at a specific temperature and pH, we
call this its optimal temperature and pH.
In this practical, you will study an enzyme that is found in the cells of
many living tissues called catalase (KAT-uh-LAYSS). It speeds up a reaction
which breaks down hydrogen peroxide, a potentially toxic chemical, into 2
harmless substances, namely, water and oxygen.
This chemical reaction is written as follows: 2H2O2 2H2O + O2
You will be looking specifically at the catalase found in chicken liver and
conduct an investigation on the effect of temperature on its activity.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Work in groups of 2 or 3.
Follow the practical procedure (Part A) and then the investigation
(Part B) and finally answer the questions that follow.
Each group member will need to record all answers as they will be
needed to answer the individual questions in the next period.
1

MATERIALS:
3 X 10ml Graduated cylinders
Measuring pipette
20Vol (6%) Hydrogen peroxide
solution
Sharp knife (scalpel)
Forceps (tweezers)

Electronic scale
Chicken liver at room
temperature
Boiled chicken liver
Frozen chicken liver
Stirring rod

PART A Practical Procedure: Catalase activity from chicken livers

at room temperature on hydrogen peroxide.
AIM: To determine the effect of catalase in chicken livers, at room
temperature, on hydrogen peroxide and to test the products from this
reaction for the presence of oxygen.
Room Temperature Catalase Reaction Method:
1. Place 1 ml of the 6% hydrogen peroxide solution into a clean 10ml
graduated cylinder.
2. Using forceps and sharp knife/scalpel cut 0.1g of chicken liver (this is
approximately half the size of a 10c coin) and add it to the
measuring cylinder
3. Label measuring cylinder 1 Control
4. Push the piece of liver into the hydrogen peroxide with a stirring rod.
Observe what happens.
5. Leave the reaction for 4 minutes and then measure how high the
bubbles rose.
6. Conduct a simple test for oxygen (O2) by placing a glowing splint
into the bubbles.
(PRECAUTION: Oxygen is highly reactive. Make sure that you have
blown out the splint so that it is only a glowing ember before placing
it into the test-tube).
QUESTIONS:
1. What was the volume of bubbles in measuring cylinder 1?
(1)
2. What is the test for oxygen?

(1)
3. What did you observe when you put the glowing splint into the testtube filled with bubbles?

(2)
4. What is the effect of catalase on hydrogen peroxide?

(1)
PART B Practical Investigation: The effect of high and low
temperatures on catalase activity on hydrogen peroxide.
AIM: To determine the effect of temperature of catalase, from boiled or
frozen chicken livers, on hydrogen peroxide.
Boiled Liver and Frozen Liver Catalase Reaction Method:
1. Place 1 ml of 6% hydrogen peroxide solution into 2 separate clean
10ml graduated cylinders.
2. Label measuring cylinders 2 boiled liver and 3 frozen liver.
3. Using forceps and a sharp knife/scalpel cut 0.1g of previously boiled
and then 0.1g of previously frozen chicken livers. (Note: this needs
to be done quickly as the liver may defrost).
4. Add the boiled liver into measuring cylinder 2 and the frozen liver to
measuring cylinder 3.
5. Push the liver down into the measuring cylinder using a stirring rod.
6. Leave the reaction for 4 minutes and then measure how high the
bubbles rose in each measuring cylinder.
RESULTS:
1. What was the volume of the bubbles in:
a) Measuring cylinder 2?
(1)
b) Measuring cylinder 3?
(1)

Group mark:
2 = excellent work
1= could be better
0 not done
Group worked quietly and well together with very
little help from the teacher
Group cleaned up the area without being reminded
to do so and asked teacher to check the area was
clean
Worksheet neatly filled in and handed in at end of
lesson, together with all group members sheets.

/1
/5

PART A TOTAL = 12 MARKS

INDIVIDUAL WORK

Name:

QUESTIONS:
1. Suggest REASONS for the differences you saw between the 3
measuring cylinders in terms of rate of reaction and temperature.

(3)

2. List TWO things that needed to be kept the same (fixed variables) in
this
investigation.
(2)

3. Identify the independent and dependent variables in this

investigation.
a) Independent variable:
(1)
b) Dependent variable:
(1)

4. State a Hypothesis for this investigation.

(3)
5. Give a conclusion to this investigation.

(3)
6. Describe the reaction and how you measured reaction rate. Is this
method very accurate? Explain your answer.
(4)

7. Suggest at least one way in which you can apply knowledge gained
about enzymes by doing this investigation to a real world situation.
(1)

PART B TOTAL
= 18