Enzyme Lab

AP Biology
Mrs. Ravesi-Weinstein

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is decomposed into water (H2O) and oxygen gas (O2) in the presence of the
enzyme catalase according to the following reaction:

catalase
2H2O2 2H2O + O2

The following environmental conditions can affect the optimal functioning of catalase:

Acidity
Temperature
Substrate/enzyme concentrations

In this lab, the rate of the above reaction will be measured as product produced over time (mL of O2 per
second) rather than substrate consumed over time.

The following procedure is used to accomplish this:

1. Dilute store bought 3% H2O2 to 2.1% solution (70/30 split).
2. Fill a plastic container with tap water and place next to ring stand. Dip the graduated cylinder
into the container so as to fill it with water. With the mouth of the graduated cylinder still
submerged, invert, and clamp upside down to ring stand.
3. Add 10mL of 2.1% H2O2 to the glass cylinder.
4. When ready to begin, add 3 mL of the yeast solution to the H2O2 already in the cylinder. Insert
the rubber stopper with tubing and submerge the tubing into the opening of the inverted
graduated cylinder. Bubbles will immediately start filling the graduated cylinder, displacing the
water. Readings of mL O2 can be taken over time to determine reaction rate.

The lab assignment is as follows:

Test the effects of environmental conditions on the reaction rate of catalase enzyme. An approved
experimental design must be created using the scientific method. Background information about the
structure and function of catalase enzyme must be included in the lab report in addition to: a testable
hypothesis, experimental design/methodology, data tables, data analysis/calculations/graphs, and a
conclusion that does or does not reject the tested hypothesis (with scientific rationale/justification),
discusses experimental difficulties and possible explanations, poses new questions, applies the results to
real world situations, suggests possible experimental design improvements, and finally connects the lab to
one of the Big Ideas (with justification). The lab grade will be based on the final, formal lab report
PowerPoint presentation. DO NOT FORGET TO RUN A CONTROL!