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Introduction

What factors affect the activity of enzyme catalyse, on hydrogen peroxide? Skill Area P The problem The problem that we are going to investigate will be what factors affect the activity of enzyme catalyse, on hydrogen peroxide. The factors we should investigate are 1. Temperature 2. Amount of enzyme 3. pH level 4. Amount of substrate (hydrogen peroxide) Background knowledge An enzyme exists in all living things. They are produced in all living cells. In each cell there are several hundred enzymes, which catalyse at a vast number of chemical reactions. Without enzymes the reaction would be to slow and life would grind to a halt. Enzymes dramatically increase the rate at which a reaction occurs in living things without being used up or effecting the reaction in any way, which enables it to be used up over and over again. An enzyme saves the need to change the temperature, pH level or concentration to speed up the reaction which could harm the organism. Enzymes are proteins, which is quite odd as they break and digest proteins. There is only one type of enzyme which speed up the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water in your body. ...read more.

Middle

I will measure the froth with a ruler and the units I will be using will be millimetres. Using Results I will record the results from this experiment in a graph below (2a). My graph will have two axis one will be the `height of froth' and the other is the `number of discs' that have been put in the test tube. I think that a line of best fit graph to use, as it is very easy to read and is suitable from the way the results are set out. I have drawn an example of the line of best fit graph below (2b) 2a [image005.jpg] [image007.jpg] 2b Apparatus The apparatus I will be using in this experiment will be � stop watch � ruler (mm) � cork borer � test tube � rubber gloves � safety glasses � measuring cylinder � hydrogen peroxide � potatoes � test tube rack Method 1. Collect the following apparatus:- � stop watch � ruler (mm) � cork borer � test tube � rubber gloves � safety glasses � measuring cylinder � hydrogen peroxide � potatoes � test tube rack 2. ...read more.

Conclusion

If I increase the amount of enzyme the height of froth increases. When the enzyme catalyse binds with the substrate and a chemical reaction takes place, the product is released in the form of oxygen and water. When the oxygen and water is released it forms a froth at the top of the hydrogen peroxide. The results do support my original prediction as I stated that the rate the enzyme catalyse binds with the hydrogen peroxide and then releases it as water and oxygen increases with the addition of more enzyme catalyse. Evaluating I believe the way in which I carried out my experiment was the best way to do it as I changed the amount of enzyme however I kept the other variables constant. If I could repeat the experiment I would use a graduated test tube to measure the froth as it would be easier to read and would save a lot of time where the reading was concerned. Yes I do feel that the evidence obtained was reliable as the controlled variables were kept the same to ensure a fair and accurate test. In my all the points lie I do not believe that there is any doubt in my results as they match what I have predicted and the experiment was monitored carefully. ...read more.

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