How does the concentration of hydrogen peroxide affect the time (s) it takes the enzyme catalase to decompose it into water and oxygen gas?

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Biology Hl-Enzyme Design IA                                        Elena Mastin Wood

Research Question:

How does the concentration of hydrogen peroxide affect the time (s) it takes the enzyme catalase to decompose it into water and oxygen gas?

Variables:

Dependent:

  • Time (in seconds) taken for the decomposition reaction to be complete.
  • Measured using a stopwatch

Independent:

  • Molar concentration (mol/L) of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)
  • Solutions will be increased in concentration from 1 mol/L to 1.25 mol/L, to 1.5 mol/L, to 1.75 mol/L, to 2 mol/L.
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Controlled:

  • Mass (in grams) of pureed cow’s liver (catalase)
  • Each test will use 10 grams of pureed cow’s liver, containing the enzyme catalase.
  • If uncontrolled, the reaction time could be either increased or decreased because of the changed amount of the catalyst, create imprecise data.
  • Temperature
  • The lab will be kept at a constant temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.
  • Temperature is a primary factor affecting both enzyme activity and reaction speed.
  • Volume of hydrogen peroxide
  • A standard volume of 20mL of hydrogen peroxide will be used in each test, with ample amounts of water to ...

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