Hhhh Essay

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Name: Alexis Savastano How Does pH Affect an Enzyme? Catalase is an enzyme that helps decompose the toxic hydrogen peroxide that is produced during normal cell activities. The products of this reaction are water and oxygen gas. The pressure of the oxygen gas in a closed container increases as oxygen is produced. Any increase in the rate of reaction will cause an increase in the pressure of the oxygen. The first line of the graph (top) represents the normal rate of the reaction in a water solution of hydrogen peroxide and catalase. The second line represents the rate of reaction when acid is added to the solution and the third line represents the rate of reaction when a base is added to the solution. 1. What variable is plotted on the x-axis? What variable is plotted on the y-axis? Time in minutes is plotted on the x-axis. The pressure of oxygen is plotted on the y-axis. 2. How did the rate of reaction change over time in the control reaction? As acid was added to the chemical reaction, the rate of reaction decreased. When the base was added, the rate of reaction decreased even more. 3. Suggest an explanation for the change in the control reaction at about 40 seconds. The separation occurs at 40 seconds. 4. What effect do acids and bases have on the enzyme catalase? Both acids and bases make the enzyme catalase work more slowly. 5. Would it be valid to conclude that if a base were added, the rate of the reaction would slow down? Explain. It is valid to conclude that a base were added, the rate of the reaction would slow down because the pressure of oxygen barely increased, meaning the enzymes were not working at a faster rate. 6. Predict what would happen if vinegar (also known as acetic acid) were added to a water solution of hydrogen peroxide and

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