Prediction
I predict that the more catalase used will speed up the reaction rate between the catalase and hydrogen peroxide. On a graph, as the concentration of catalase is increased the rate of reaction will increase forming a series of positively correlated lines, increasing in gradient as the catalase concentration increases. Also, as the surface area increases (as each sample increases in concentration its surface area will increase) the reaction rate should increase. On a graph, the rate of reaction will be directly proportional to the surface are of each catalase sample, producing a positively correlated scatter graph with a line of best fit. The particular enzymes in question are breaking enzymes and they will engulf the substrate and separate it into smaller pieces and release it. The enzymes will not die or be used up and will continue working until all the substrate is reacted with.
Scientific Background Information
An enzyme is a biological catalyst. Catalysts speed up reactions but they are not changed during the reaction. Enzymes only work on one specific type of substrate that means that there is only one kind of substrate that will fit into the enzyme's active site. Most enzymes optimum working temperature is 37°C (body temperature), however the optimum working temperature of catalase is 30°C. Enzymes have their optimum temperature which is when the molecules of the enzyme are moving at their fastest. This makes it more likely that the enzyme molecules will collide with the substrate and react. At 40°C, catalase becomes denatured, which means the molecular bonds of the enzyme are broken, the active site (the area on the enzyme where the reaction takes place) is deformed and the enzyme becomes useless. At 60°C, catalase is completely destroyed. The molecular bonds of enzymes are generally weak and are broken by slight changes in its surroundings, like temperature or pH.
The concentration of the catalase, compared to the concentration of substrate (in this case, hydrogen peroxide) is important because one is directly proportional to the other. This is because the number of collisions between catalase molecules and substrate molecules is increased. Eventually, with no more substrate molecules available, the reaction will have reached its maximum level. As the concentration of catalase is increased, the surface area will increase. The larger surface area will provide more active sites for the hydrogen peroxide to react with, increasing the speed in which the reaction takes place, otherwise known as the reaction rate.
Diagram of Investigation
Equipment needed
2 Beakers (volume of 100cm³)
2 Measuring cylinders (volume of 20cm³)
1 Test tube (volume of 20cm³)
1 Delivery tube
1 Thermometer (needs to have an upper limit of no less than 30°C)
1 Stop clock (with seconds)
Goggles
Electric Balance (correct to 1 decimal place)
I predict that the more catalase used will speed up the reaction rate between the catalase and hydrogen peroxide. On a graph, as the concentration of catalase is increased the rate of reaction will increase forming a series of positively correlated lines, increasing in gradient as the catalase concentration increases. Also, as the surface area increases (as each sample increases in concentration its surface area will increase) the reaction rate should increase. On a graph, the rate of reaction will be directly proportional to the surface are of each catalase sample, producing a positively correlated scatter graph with a line of best fit. The particular enzymes in question are breaking enzymes and they will engulf the substrate and separate it into smaller pieces and release it. The enzymes will not die or be used up and will continue working until all the substrate is reacted with.
Scientific Background Information
An enzyme is a biological catalyst. Catalysts speed up reactions but they are not changed during the reaction. Enzymes only work on one specific type of substrate that means that there is only one kind of substrate that will fit into the enzyme's active site. Most enzymes optimum working temperature is 37°C (body temperature), however the optimum working temperature of catalase is 30°C. Enzymes have their optimum temperature which is when the molecules of the enzyme are moving at their fastest. This makes it more likely that the enzyme molecules will collide with the substrate and react. At 40°C, catalase becomes denatured, which means the molecular bonds of the enzyme are broken, the active site (the area on the enzyme where the reaction takes place) is deformed and the enzyme becomes useless. At 60°C, catalase is completely destroyed. The molecular bonds of enzymes are generally weak and are broken by slight changes in its surroundings, like temperature or pH.
The concentration of the catalase, compared to the concentration of substrate (in this case, hydrogen peroxide) is important because one is directly proportional to the other. This is because the number of collisions between catalase molecules and substrate molecules is increased. Eventually, with no more substrate molecules available, the reaction will have reached its maximum level. As the concentration of catalase is increased, the surface area will increase. The larger surface area will provide more active sites for the hydrogen peroxide to react with, increasing the speed in which the reaction takes place, otherwise known as the reaction rate.
Diagram of Investigation
Equipment needed
2 Beakers (volume of 100cm³)
2 Measuring cylinders (volume of 20cm³)
1 Test tube (volume of 20cm³)
1 Delivery tube
1 Thermometer (needs to have an upper limit of no less than 30°C)
1 Stop clock (with seconds)
Goggles
Electric Balance (correct to 1 decimal place)
