Does temperature affect how well enzymes work?

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GCSE Biology coursework.

Does temperature affect how well enzymes work?

Aim

To investigate whether the enzyme Catalase is affected by different temperatures by using catalase from potato at a range of different temperatures and to measure how enzyme has worked by measuring the amount of oxygen collected

Introduction

  • Living cells continuously carry out chemical reactions and as a by-product produce hydrogen peroxide. It is a toxic substance which can destroy the cells if not immediately broken down.

  • This breakdown is carried out by the enzyme catalase, which is produced in all living cells.

  • Catalase breaks down the hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen making it harmless to the cells.

                Hydrogen         CATALASE

                Peroxide          Water + oxygen

                     

                2H2O2                2H2O+ O2

Therefore enzyme catalase is the catalyst. Hydrogen Peroxide is the substrate.

Catalase is the fastest enzyme known. When it comes into contact of Hydrogen peroxide, frothing shows rapid production of oxygen.

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Catalase is to break down. This is what enzymes do.

Catalase is the name of the enzymes I am studying.

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Method

  • Shred by using potato grater. This will break open the cells and release the enzymes catalase.
  • Put the potato into a boiling tube attached to a delivery tube to allow gas to escape.
  • Place the boiling tube into a water bath set it to 30°  C and keep it here for 5 minutes so that the cell enzymes heat up to this temperature
  • Measure 5 cm3 of hydrogen peroxide into a syringe. Place this into a hole into the bung of the boiling tube.
  • Repeat all above steps ...

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