Investigate concentration of amylase to see how fast it breaks down.

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INVESTIGATION

Aim

To investigate concentration of amylase to see how fast it breaks down.

Scientific Knowledge

An enzyme is a biological catalyst. A catalyst enables substances to react more quickly. Atoms break and form easily which are between bonds which are helped by catalysts. The particles need less energy, so the proceeds more quickly. For example, catalysts are now used in car exhaust systems. Car fumes contain poisonous carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide. These pollutants react together very slowly to form, carbon dioxide and nitrogen which are not poisonous.

Carbon monoxide + nitrogen oxide → Carbon dioxide + Nitrogen

   2Co                   +         2No         → 2Co2                 + N2

When the exhaust’s fumes pass over the platinum, the carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide react together very rapidly. However, none of the platinum is used up during the reaction. The mass of platinum is the same after the reaction as before. The platinum has acted as catalyst. Therefore we state a catalyst as a substance which alters the rate of a reaction without being used up.

(Reference: revise GCSE Single and Double award)

There are different factors that affect the reaction rates. They are the following:

  • Surface area
  • Temperatures
  • Concentration
  • Ph
  • Heat

The surface area of a solid is the area of it which is exposed. If a solid is cut smaller pieces, the more surface area is exposed, hence it will react faster. The reaction occurs when particles collide.

Concentrations in general react more quickly than dilute ones. For examples, a concentrated detergent removes grease more quickly than dilute detergent.

        In a concentrated solution there are more collisions per second between the reacting particles, so the reaction proceeds more quickly.

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Enzymes only work on one reaction due to their shape.

The temperature differs how quick the particles move. The higher the temperature, the faster the particle moves. They therefore collide more frequently and with more frequently and with more energy. This then makes it easier for them to react together. Usually, rises of 10◦c will double the rate of a chemical reaction.

 Graph A

The rate of reaction doubles with every 10◦C rise in temperature. This ...

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