Exploring Enzymes Through Lactex

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Exploring enzymes through Lactex. Problem: Does pH affect the results of Lactex? Independent Variable: pH value Dependent Variable: Glucose Control: Lactex enzyme Hypothesis: I think pH will cause the result of Lactex to change. Materials: · Soap (basic) · Antacid (basic) · Soda (acidic) · Vinegar (acidic) · pH test strips · eye dropper · Cow’s milk Experimental Design: 1. Set up plastic cups 2. In four of the cups, put 10 mL of cows milk 3. In the other five cups, place 10 mL of other substances (Soap, Antacid, Soda, Vinegar) 4. Use a glucose strip to test the cows milk 5. Dip the strip in the milk, Wait five seconds, Record Data 6. Now add a few drops of each acid or base to each cup 7. Dip a new glucose a strip and record your data 8. Add a few drops of enzyme to each cup 9. Use a new glucose strip and record Data: Conclusion: According to my data, pH levels do, in fact, affect the results of Lactex. I say this because in my experiment, pre-enzyme, my solutions were all negative except for the soda. I used the test strips to determine if they were negative or positive solutions. After I put in the enzyme, Lactex, my results changed. Vinegar, Antacid, and Soap all became positive solutions after I put in the enzyme. A change in pH disrupts an enzyme's shape and structure. pH measure acidity--water is neutral and has a pH of 7. When the pH changes an enzyme's structure, the enzyme can't do its job. Changes in pH break the delicate bonds that maintain an enzyme's shape. An enzyme will unravel, or denature, and become useless in a different pH. The FDA should not approve this enzyme to be safe for people. I say this because for the FDA to approve it, Lactex must be able to survive a wide range of pH and temperatures that it will be exposed to within the digestive tract. The path a drug travels from a lab to your medicine

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