Catalase and Hydrogen Peroxide Experiment

Suba, Allija Koreen M.

STEM 12-01, PUP

ABSTRACT

In this experiment, we will discover how enzymes act as catalysts that breaks down
harmful hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. When this reaction occurs, oxygen
gas bubbles escape and create foam. Using a potato, carrot and hydrogen peroxide, we
can observe how enzymes like catalase work to perform decomposition of other
substances. We will also test how this process is affected by changes in the temperature
of the potato. The aim of this study was to test the rate of reactivity of the enzyme catalase
on hydrogen peroxide while subject to different concentrations of an inhibitor. Watch each
of the potato, carrot, and liver / hydrogen peroxide mixtures and record what happens.
The bubbling reaction you see is the metabolic process of decomposition. You are
observing catalase breaking hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. You should have
noticed that the boiled carrots and potato produced little to no bubbles. This is because
the heat degraded the catalase enzyme, making it incapable of processing the hydrogen
peroxide. Liver contains more of the enzyme catalase, which breaks down hydrogen
peroxide. It contains more because it detoxifies substances in the body. A larger amount
of catalase lowers the activation energy, therefore speeds up the rate of reaction. The
potato contains less of the enzyme catalase, therefore requires more activation energy,
slowing down the rate of reaction.

Keywords: Enzyme, Catalase, Hydrogen Peroxide, Decomposition, and Reactivity.

INTRODUCTION

Enzymes are essential for our survival.
These proteins, made by our cells, help
transform chemicals in our body,
functioning as a catalyst. A catalyst gets
reactions started and makes them
happen faster, by increasing the rate of a
reaction that otherwise might not happen
at all, or would take too long to sustain
life. However, a catalyst does not take
part in the reaction itself—so how does
this work? Each chemical reaction needs
a minimum amount of energy to make it
happen. This energy is called the
activation energy. The lower the
activation energy of a reaction, the faster
it takes place. If the activation energy is
too high, the reaction does not occur.
Enzyme is used to speed up the rate of
reaction by lowering the activation
energy of a reaction. Activation energy or
free energy of activation, is the initial
investment of energy for starting a
reaction – the energy required to contort
the reactant molecules so the bond can
Catalase is a very common enzyme that
is present in almost all organisms that are
exposed to oxygen. The purpose of
catalase in living cells is to protect them
from oxidative damage, which can occur
when cells or other molecules in the body
come into contact with oxidative
compounds. This damage is a natural
result of reactions happening inside your
HYPOTHESIS:
Null Hypothesis: There is no significant
difference in the measurement of the
bubble’s height.
METHODOLOGY
Materials:
Carrot, Potato, and Liver with same
mass
Test tubes (3)
Ruler
Knife
Procedures:
1. Prepare and cut the carrot, potato
and liver into cubes. The 3 of
break for a reaction to occur. Enzyme
functions as biological catalyst in many
chemical reactions that occur inside our
body.
cells. The reactions can include by-
products such as hydrogen peroxide,
which can be harmful to the body. To
prevent such damage, the catalase
enzyme helps getting rid of these
compounds by breaking up hydrogen
peroxide (H2O2) into harmless water and
oxygen.
Alternative Hypothesis: There is
significant difference in the
measurement of the bubble’s height.
Hydrogen Peroxide
Hot and Cold Water
Gloves
Mask
them should have the same or
equal amount of mass.
 2. Boil the water for at least 5
minutes.
3. Put the carrot, potato and liver in
the test tubes.
4. Soak the test tubes in the hot
water.
5. Put 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide in
each test tubes.
6. Wait for the bubbles to appear.
CONCLUSION
Our group conducted an experiment
testing the reaction of catalase in a
carrot, potato and liver. Based on the
above experiment, the rate of reaction
with different temperature is successfully
determined. Our repeated trials proved
that the reaction rates between catalase
RESULTS
7. Observe and record the results.
Measure the height of bubbles in
each test tubes.
8. Do the experiment 5 times.
9. Repeat the same steps or
process but this time soak it in
cold water.
10. Compare the results you obtained
with hot and cold temperature.
enzymes and hydrogen peroxide were
faster in hydrogen peroxide solutions in
hot temperature. In conclusion, catalase
enzymes work best at temperatures
around body temperature (37.5°C), and
do not work as well around
temperatures 30°C or lower.
Based on the results, the liver has the
tallest height of bubble, next is the potato
and last is the carrot. We noticed that the
boiled carrots and potato produces small
amount of bubbles. The reaction rate is
that 37°C will be the optimum
temperature where catalase activity will
occur at the fastest rate because the
human body also functions its best at
37°C. Once the temperature of catalase
exceeds 37°C, it will denature and H2O2
molecules probably cannot fit into the
active sites and start decreasing the rate
of reaction.

RECOMMENDATION

1. Repeat the experiment many 2. Try different measuring tools to

times to check the consistency of check the accuracy of the
the measurement of the bubble’s bubble’s height.
height.

REFERENCES:
Rembac J. (n.d.). Catalase and Hydrogen Experiment. Retrieved from
https://www.education.com/science-fair/article/activator/
Schoolworkhelper Editorial Team (2018). Hydrogen Peroxide Breakdown in Liver vs.
Potato. Retrieved from https://schoolworkhelper.net/hydrogen-peroxide-breakdown-
liver-vs-potato/
Catalase on Hydrogen Peroxide Essay. (2012, May 6). Retrieved from
https://www.bartleby.com/essay/Catalase-on-Hydrogen-Peroxide-F3GJP23TJ
Lohner S. (2016, November 10). Exploring Enzymes. Retrieved from
https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/exploring-enzymes/
Low, S. (n.d.). Effects of Temperature on Catalase Enzymes. Retrieved from
http://cssf.usc.edu/History/2016/Projects/J0513.pdf