Potato Lab Essay

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[pic] Potato Catalase lab Investigating the Effects of pH and Temperature on Enzyme Activity Background: In this lab exercise we’ll investigate some of the properties of enzymes. Almost all chemical reactions that occur in living things are catalyzed by enzymes. Enzymes are large protein molecules that catalyze or speed up chemical reactions. Proteins can be just about any size or shape, which is useful since it’s the shape of an enzyme that determines the reactions it can catalyze. However, enzymes are sensitive to changes in temperature and pH, which alter their shapes and can even destroy them (denaturing). Enzymes have evolved to work most efficiently at the temperature and pH found in the part of the organism where they are needed. Many enzymes in the human body function most efficiently at 37oC and pH levels depend on where in the body the enzyme is. The enzyme you will investigate is called catalase. Catalase is found in tissues of many organisms (both plants and animals) because it plays a very important role in protecting cells. Its purpose is to destroy toxic substances which may be introduced into cells. Hydrogen peroxide is a normal byproduct of cellular metabolism and it is also toxic to cells. Under normal conditions organisms produce the enzyme catalase that quickly changes hydrogen peroxide into two harmless substances, oxygen and water. However, the function of the enzyme is affected by changes in the environment. Catalase works to break down hydrogen peroxide by the following chemical reaction: 2 H2O2 ------------------>2 H2O+ O2 (Catalase)
 Purpose: What is the effect of altering the temperature and pH on the function of catalase? Pre Lab Questions 1. What reaction does catalase speed up (catalyze)?
 2. What is the substrate in the chemical reaction?

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