Alan Jones

Biology

IB

The effect of varying the concentration of substrate on yeast catalase

Introduction
Enzymes are vital to stay alive and are proteins, which are made of long chains of amino acids. Enzymes have a 3D globular formation and tertiary structure level. The structure of an enzyme is held together by disulphide bonds and ionic bonds. Enzymes have optimal conditions that they work in. The factors that can affect this are temperature, pH and concentration of enzymes and substrates. Enzymes work best at an optimum temperature (usually around 40 C). They become ineffective at higher temperatures as their special shape changes. They become denatured, and substrate molecules no longer fit snugly into the active sites on the enzyme. If the pH is not at its optimum, it could denature the enzyme by changing its structure. If the structure changes a lot then the substrate could not fit into the active site. If the pH level is optimal, the rate of reaction would be maximal and work more at optimum efficiency. As mentioned, if the structure of an enzyme changes, it might not fit its active site. I will be investigating the enzyme catalase. Catalase turns hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen because hydrogen peroxide is otherwise harmful to the body. The optimum pH of catalase is approximately 7 and the optimum temperature is 37 degrees. Catalase is found in yeast.

Research Question
How does the amount of time affect how much gas is released when 10ml of catalase is dropped onto yeast?

Hypothesis
I think the optimal amount of time would 1 minute because after one minute the amount of gas released would significantly decrease.

Variables Independent Variable

My independent variable will be the amount of time I let the hydrogen peroxide react with catalase. The intervals I will choose will be 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 4 minutes and 6 minutes. I have chosen these intervals because they are a good range and the difference between 30 seconds and 6 minutes will be noticeable. It will affect my results because depending on the amount of time, the different amounts of gas will be released. It will be controlled by using a stopwatch.

Alan Jones

Biology

IB

Dependent Variable
My dependent variable will be the gas (mostly oxygen) that is released from the yeast and it will depend on the amount of time I leave it in the bowl for. To measure this, the gas syringe will be at 0cm and then I will measure the difference once the time has elapsed. This will be controlled by using a gas syringe.

Controlled Variables
Controlled variable Amount of hydrogen peroxide Amount of yeast Same gas syringe How will it be controlled? Will be measured before use. Will be measured before use. Wont change gas syringe. What effect does it have? Produce unfair results. Produce unfair results. Could lead to uncertainties

Apparatus
Stopwatch Knife Gas syringe with bung 300ml of catalase Bowl for gas syringe 500 grams of yeast Small pipette 250ml beaker Weighing boats

Health and Safety

The health and safety hazard in this experiment is the knife and it needs to be handled with caution. Hydrogen peroxide is a poisonous chemical and if it comes into contact with your skin make sure you wash thoroughly as soon as possible. Safety goggles are advised.

The Method
1. Place 20grams of yeast inside beaker. I use 20 grams because it is a sufficient amount to produce required results. 2. Take about 200ml of hydrogen peroxide. 3. Take 10ml of hydrogen peroxide into the pipette and have it ready to be applied to the yeast. 4. Try to apply to the centre as much as possible. 5. Once applied, seal the beaker with the gas syringe (making sure its at 0 before being placed on). 6. Time for 30 seconds.

Alan Jones

Biology

IB

7. Once 30 seconds have elapsed, see how many cm of difference there is on the gas syringe and make a note of it. 8. Once written down, take off the bung and clean out the bowl (or whatever else has been used). 9. Repeat this step with waiting 30 seconds 4 more times. 10. Once completed, move onto the other IVs and do those 5 times each.

Results Table
30 Time elapsed (seconds) 60 120 240 360 Result 1 Result 2 Result 3 Result 4 Result 5

With this data the research question can be addressed. The results will be presented using line graphs and processed results tables. This will be done via placing the data into Microsoft Office Excel. 5 suitable increments are used for the IV.

Bibliography
No external sources were used.

Amount of gas (cm) ( 0.2cm3)