To determine the relationship between surface area and rate of oxygen production when a potato is placed in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution.

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Investigation

To determine the relationship between surface area and rate of oxygen production when a potato is placed in hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) solution.

Background Information

Potato contains enzymes such as catalase. Catalase are protein molecules, which are found in animal and plant cells. Catalase speeds up specific reactions in the cells. They all have very specific duty, as each enzyme just performs one particular reaction.

It is able to speed up the decomposition of Hydrogen Peroxide because the shape of its active site matches the shape of the Hydrogen Peroxide molecule. This type of reaction where a molecule is broken down into smaller pieces is called an anabolic reaction.

Variables

In my investigation I will have two types of variables:-

a)        Independent variables are variables that I can change. The independent variable for my investigation is:

Surface area – the more surface area the more chance of collisions and therefore a quicker reaction.

b)        Dependent variable is the variable that is measured. In my investigation the dependent variable is:

Volume of oxygen gas produced over a period of one minute

Variables that I kept constant are:

Temperature – the rate of reaction depends on the temperature as enzymes work best at certain temperatures.

Concentration of Catalase (enzyme) – the more concentrated the quicker the reaction.

Concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide – the more concentrated the quicker the reaction.

FAIR TEST

I will make my investigation a fair test by controlling variables:

I will make sure that no air gets into the measuring cylinder until the experiment has started. I will keep the surface area of the potato the same. I will control the Surface area of the potato by using a ruler to measure out how much to cut and by using a knife to cut accurately. I will only use 30ml of hydrogen Peroxide each time .The same person will be timing one minute on the stopwatch. I will only use one type of potato throughout my experiments. The skin of the potato will be removed. The experiments be carried out at room temperature and will be monitored with a thermometer. I will throughout all my experiments keep consistence and the same order of perpetration.  

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If these variables were not controlled I would not get accurate results because there would be no consistence and results may differ due to change in variables.

Safety Precautions

While carrying out this investigation I will follow these safety rules:

- Keep all apparatus away from the edge of the desk to prevent breakages.

- Not to rush about and misbehave as accidents may occur.

- I will have to be careful when using the Hydrogen Peroxide, as it is a corrosive chemical, so I will attempt to overcome this problem by wearing goggles.

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