Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction for the enzyme amylase.

The first 200 words of this essay...

Planning

Introduction

Enzymes are found in the body and are used for the digestion of different food molecules.

Amylase breaks down Starch to glucose while other enzymes break down other food molecules.

Aim

I am experimenting to investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of reaction for the enzyme amylase.

Background Knowledge

Some enzymes function best at 37oC, which is body temperature. This is a proven theory for the enzyme amylase. If the temperature is above or below 37oC these enzymes function slower, and therefore take more time to break down these food molecules. However, at very high temperatures enzymes change shape and no longer carry out their function, they are said to be denatured. This is why I am testing to see how temperature affects the rate of reaction in detail. Amylase is also known as carbohydrase as used in the diagram below. (Diagram from http://www.gcsescience.com)

Variables

Amount of Glucose Present.

This is the dependent variable of my experiment I will test this using iodine to display if there is glucose present. I will test this after the amylase has had enough time to break down the starch.