for this experiment my main aim is to investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity

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BIOLOGY COURSEWORK

My Aim: for this experiment my main aim is to investigate the effect of temperature on enzyme activity. In this case Catalase is my enzyme and Hydrogen peroxide is my substrate, I will be reacting both of them at different temperatures.

Introduction

Catalase is an enzyme found in tissues of most living things. It promotes the conversion of hydrogen peroxide, a powerful and potentially harmful oxidizing agent, to water and molecular oxygen.

2H2O2 to 2H2O + O2

Catalase also uses hydrogen peroxide to oxidize toxins including phenols, formic acid, formaldehyde and alcohols.

H2O2 + RH2 to 2H2O + R

What does Catalase look like?

Each molecule of Catalase is a tetramer of four polypeptide chains. Each chain is composed of more than 500 amino acids. Located within this tetramer are four porphyrin haem groups that are very much like the familiar haemoglobins, cytochromes, chlorophylls and nitrogen-fixing enzymes in legumes. The haem group is responsible for catalase's enzymatic activity. Catalase has one of the highest turnover rates for all enzymes: one molecule of Catalase can convert 6 million molecules of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen each minute.

Enzymes (protein molecules)