Enzymes are special molecules that help our bodies do different things, like digest food or fight off germs. Scientists study enzymes to understand how they work and how we can use them to improve our health.

Catalysts are molecules which speed the rate of reactions.  Enzymes are special types of protein chemicals which act as catalysts for biological reactions.  Enzymes can be found in all living things, plant and animal. In this activity you will investigate some of the properties of chemical reaction that is helped along by an enzyme.  The enzyme used in this investigation is called catalase.  Catalase is produced by the body to break down Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2).

Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common by-product of metabolic reactions. In high concentration it is toxic; therefore, its accumulation in cells would be harmful. Most tissues, however, contain the enzyme catalase, which catalyzes the breakdown of peroxide to water and oxygen.

Join me as we investigate the rate of reaction between catalase and hydrogen peroxide. We'll measure the height of the froth and time the movement as soon as the tubes are mixed to determine the rate of reaction.

Purpose:

Examining variables that affect the rate of a reaction between the catalase found in liver or potato and Hydrogen peroxide.


Materials:
Liver extract or pieces,
potato extract or pieces,
3% Hydrogen Peroxide,
test tubes,
test tube racks,
stopwatch,
millimeter ruler,
beakers or cups,
disposable pipette


Cautions – Hydrogen Peroxide is a caustic solution.  Wear goggles when using Hydrogen Peroxide.

 
 
Procedure:

1) Identify what factors you want to test that could affect the rate of the reaction between catalase and hydrogen peroxide. For example, test it in different temperatures (0, 40, 60, 80)
  
2) Obtain some liver or potato
extract and keep in an ice bath to maintain enzyme integrity.

3) Measure out 0.25 ml of extract and place in a clean test tube.

4) Set in test tube rack where the tube is clearly visible.

5) Measure out 1 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide and place into another test tube.

6) Into this same test tube add 1ml of distilled water.

7) Have a ruler and watch handy. Be prepared to measure the height of the froth and
time the movement as soon as the tubes are mixed.

8) Pour the peroxide into the liver extract tube and immediately begin timing and
measure the distance from the bottom of the tube to the line of maximum height. If the
froth overflows the tube or if the reaction proceeds too quickly, dilute your
liver extract with some distilled water and repeat.

9) The actual height of the froth is the height reached during the reaction minus
the starting height of the solution. To determine the starting height of the
solution pour 2.2.5 ml of water into an empty test tube and measure this height.


Rate= height of froth above starting height/ time taken to reach that height


Using the technique above to measure the speed of the catalase reaction you
should be able to design an experiment to measure the effects of a variable you
wish to investigate on the rate of reaction.

 

Investigating the Effects of Catalase on Hydrogen Peroxide

What is the effect of Catalase on Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)

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Biochemistry is the study of the chemistry of living things. Biochemists study how different molecules like DNA and proteins work together to sustain life. The groundbreaking discoveries in biochemistry continue to lead to the discovery of new medicines and cutting-edge treatments for diseases.

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Investigating the Effects of Catalase on Hydrogen Peroxide

Hypothesis

Method & Materials

Results

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