Factors affecting the rate of enzyme mediated reaction.

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PLAN                                                                      Friday 19th April 2002

Catalase Coursework.

Title: Factors affecting the rate of enzyme mediated reaction.

Aim: To find out how the concentration affects the rate of reaction.

Introduction: Enzymes are proteins that control vital biological processes. They often act as biological catalysts. In the human body enzymes control the breakdown of food and reactions which make chemicals such as fats, carbohydrates, proteins and DNA. Enzymes are used today in a wide range of industrial processes. These include fermentation, baking, cheese making, tenderising meat and treating leather. The table summarises some of the enzymes used in industrial processes.

The enzyme catalase is present in blood to prevent the build-up of dangerous peroxides. If a small piece of liver is added to hydrogen peroxide, a rapid evolution of oxygen is seen. The catalase acts as a catalyst and speeds up the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

2H202(aq) ⇒ 2H20 + 02(g)

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Catalase is an extremely effective catalyst. One molecule of catalase will decompose 40 000 molecules of hydrogen peroxide each second. However, unlike chemical catalyst, which work under a wide range of conditions, enzymes are only able to work under limited conditions.

A catalase is a substrate which alters the rate of a chemical reaction without being used up. The mass of catalyst remains unchanged throughout the reaction. They work at an optimum pH level and they are denatured at high temperatures. It is best for an enzyme to work at pH 6.5 and ...

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