The Effect of Different Immbolised Enzymes Bead Sizes On the Hydrolysis of Starch

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THE EFFECT OF DIFFERENT IMMBOLISED ENZYMES BEAD SIZES ON THE HYDROLYSIS OF STARCH

Introduction:

Without help, all chemical reactions within our bodies would proceed too slowly to be useful. Therefore, they must be catalysed and this means that in addition to the molecules that undergo a change (the reacting molecule), another molecule, the catalyst, must be present in small amounts in order for the reaction to take place at a very substantial level (rate).

Enzymes are very meaningful because they catalyse and regulate nearly all biochemical pathways with in the human body. They transform the food we eat into energy and unlock this energy for use in the body. They can not be seen with even the most powerful microscope, but their presence and strength can be determined by improved blood and immune system functions. The actual definition of an enzymes is a 'biochemical catalyst which occurs in all living cells and are involved in most metabolic processes, they are typically proteins with large complex molecules' (The Oxford English Dictionary, 1995).

It is a biological catalyst that is involved in anabolic (synthesis of molecules) and catabolic (breakdown of molecules) reactions.

Enzymes alter such factors as the rate and conditions under which chemical reactions occur, by altering the activation energy of the reaction. The activation energy is the barrier that must be overcome in order for chemicals to react and form products.

If an enzyme is just mixed with the reactants to be catalysed, the enzyme is difficult to separate at the end of the reaction and is usually destroyed. However, if the enzyme is attached to an inactive surface that the reactants pass, this means that the enzyme functions as a catalyst and can be used several times. Immobilised enzymes come into play in food and chemical manufacture and are also important in medical diagnosis.

AIM:

My aim is to investigate the reaction between amalase in the form of an immobilised enzyme with starch. The variable that will be under analysis will be the rate of hydrolysis with two different bead sizes.

HYPOTHESIS:

I presume that the differences in the size of the enzyme beads will contrast each other in their effect on the substrate. I presume that the smaller enzyme beads will react faster than the bigger beads due to the collision theory. This factor remains true to a certain degree, even when other factors come into play. i.e. P.H, Concentration of both the substrate and enzyme, pressure and the temperature.

I can presume this because the collision theory tells me that when two molecules react, bonds are broken or made which involves a rearrangement of atoms. According to the collision theory, for this to happen the molecules first have to collide. Am increases in temperature makes a reaction go faster (except for those involving enzymes), increasing the pressure can increase the rates of reactions involving gases.
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Increasing the concentration normally increases the rate of reaction and finally, an increase in surface area increase the rate of reaction.

PLAN:

Equipment required:

* 10 ml of Amylase

* 40 ml of 2% sodium alginate solution

* 500 ml of calcium chloride solution

* 2 plastic syringes

* 5 beakers

* Glass rod

* Distilled water

* 2% starch solution

* 66 test tubes

* stopwatch

. I will gather all the equipment and solutions needed.

2. I will mix the ...

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