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Makenzie Singer

Mrs. Carignan

AP Biology

21 November 2016

Enzyme Reaction Rate Lab

- Data Chart/Table

Toothpicks Metabolized Overtime

Time Toothpicks Metabolized

(in seconds)

0 0

10 9

30 26

60 40

120 40

180 40

- Math (Rate of Reaction)

Equation: y/x or M2-M1/T2-T1

M = number of toothpicks metabolized

T = time

Ex.) 9-0/10-0
26-9/30-10
40-26/60-30
40-40/120-60
40-40/180-120
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Rates of Reaction

Equation: y/x or M2-M1/T2-T1

M = number of toothpicks metabolized

T = time

Rate of Reaction of Toothpickase

Time Interval (in seconds) Math Rate of Reaction of Toothpickase

(in toothpicks metabolized/second)

0 to 10 9-0/10-0 .9

10 to 30 26-9/30-10 .85

30 to 60 40-26/60-30 .47

60 to 120 40-40/120-60 0

120 to 180 40-40/180-120 0

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Hypothesis
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Question 1

Would it take longer to break the toothpick if it were across the room on the floor?

- Yes, it would take longer to break the toothpicks if they were across the room. This is

because when the enzymatic reaction begins to occur, you cannot break them up right

away, you would have to take time and walk over first. Ultimately this would affect the

beginning of the slope by putting it behind. This will ultimately affect the Vmax as seen

in line Q #1, the Vmax only reaches 27.

Question 2

What would happen if the toothpicks were surrounded by lookalikes, such as different

toothpicks? Would it take longer to break them up?

- Yes, it would take longer to break up the toothpicks because they would first have to be

sorted before you could break them. If you pick up the wrong one, that back tracks you

greatly. If this were to happen several times, the Vmax and slope of the data would

decrease in response to the rate of reaction decreasing. As seen in line Q #2 on the

graph.

Question 3

What would happen to the amount of time required to break toothpicks if we had more

toothpickase?

- By having more toothpickase, it would speed up the rate of reaction. By speeding up the

rate of reaction, it means that more toothpicks would be broken in less amount of time.

Therefore, the Vmax would be met faster. It works the same way with real enzymes. If
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there are more doing the job, it will get done faster. This is why the line for Q #3 on the

graph has the greatest slope and reaches the Vmax of 40 quickly.

Question 4

Put in ice for three minutes before breaking the toothpicks?

- Just like our own hands, enzymes rate of reaction would decrease if placed in ice for

three minutes. By decreasing the rate of reaction, less will get done and it will greatly

affect the efficiency and data. Overall, the toothpickase will have a lower slope and a

lower Vmax, which is seen in the line of Q #4 on the graph.

Question 5

Fingers were crossed on the enzymes?

- Like question 4, if there was a barrier affecting the active sites (or our pointer/thumb

fingers) to do their job quickly and regularly, the rate of reaction would decrease. By the

rate of reaction decreasing, it has a domino affect on the Vmax, the slope, and the overall

efficiency of the enzyme. In this case, the Vmax would be lowered because not as many

toothpicks would be broken and the slope would also be low. This can be seen on the

graph for Q #5.