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Enzymes Science Fair Project

Potato Catalase and Temperature

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Potato Catalase and Temperature | Science Fair Projects | STEM Projects
Does heat speed up or slow down the enzyme catalase? Catalase is a protein found in potatoes that breaks hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water. The oxygen it releases can push a small piece of filter paper to the surface of a test tube. You soak filter paper in blended potato, then drop it into hydrogen peroxide held at eight temperatures from 15 to 50 degrees Celsius. You time how long the paper takes to float. Below 40 degrees the paper rises in seconds. Above 45 degrees it slows sharply, showing the point where heat begins to destroy the enzyme.

Hypothesis

The hypothesis is that at temperatures above 40°C, the enzyme will become less effective.

Method & Materials

You will cut a potato into small pieces, blend it with water, and dip filter paper into the mixture. You will also fill 8 beakers and 8 test tubes with hydrogen peroxide and water, and adjust the temperature of the water in each beaker. Finally, you will place the filter paper into the test tubes and measure the time it takes for the paper to float to the top.
You will need a potato, a blender, filter paper, 8 beakers, 8 test tubes, a hot plate, a packet of ice, a bottle of hydrogen peroxide, a stopwatch, a thermometer, scissors, tweezers, a glass rod, and a marker pen.

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Results

The experiment showed that the filter paper floated very soon at temperatures below 40°C. At temperatures above 45°C, the paper took a longer time before floating. This proves that the hypothesis is true, and that at temperatures above 40°C, the enzyme Catalase will become less effective.

Why do this project?

This science project is interesting because it explores how temperature affects the enzyme Catalase, which is found in almost all living organisms and helps to convert hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

Also Consider

Consider repeating the experiment using different amounts of hydrogen peroxide in the test tubes, or using liver tissue instead of potatoes.

Full project details

Additional information and source material for this project are available below.

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