Investigation in to the action of the enzyme catalase.

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Investigation- The action of the enzyme catalase

Hypothesis

We are carrying out an investigation in order to find out how the concentration of the substrate Hydrogen Peroxide effects the time in which the catalase from a potato breaks down it down.

I have used my previous knowledge to predict what will happen, such as the lock and key hypothesis. I predict that when we add the crushed up potato to the hydrogen peroxide, enzymes in the potato will be released and use the lock and key hypothesis to latch on to and break down the hydrogen peroxide. The lock and key concept is that the enzymes, special protein molecules, are specially shaped to surround its substrate, enzymes are therefore very specific to what they break down. The enzyme and substrate must fit together exactly or how well the enzyme works will be affected.

In order that the enzymes do not denature we should keep the experiment at room temperature even though the optimum temperature is 37° (core body temperature). In a preliminary experiment we had these results:

Fresh Potato and hydrogen peroxide

Boiled potato and hydrogen peroxide

There was