Enzyme Activity Lab essays

Enzyme Activity Lab essays In the investigation, a catalase and an enzyme whose occurrence is widespread in cells, particularly in liver cells was used. The catalase from a fresh calf liver was used. In this lab, catalase and H2O2 were combined under different substrate concentrations 6%, 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% with two drops of diluted detergent. Measurements of the volume of O2 released during these reactions were recorded to determine the rate of reaction. The reaction rates of the enzyme in 6%, 4%, 2%, 1% and 0.5% concentration of Hydrogen Peroxide were 1.56 mL/s, 1.54 mL/s, 1.01 mL/s, 0.56 mL/s and 0.23 mL/s respectively. When the liver was added in distilled water and detergent it did not react. It was observed in the lab that the optimum concentration for enzyme activity is when the substrate concentration is 6%. After the optimum substrate concentration is reached, the reaction rate levels off because as the substrate concentration increases the active sites get occupied with the substrate and there are not enough active sites to break down all of the Hydrogen Peroxide molecules. At this point virtually all the active sites are occupied so the active sites are saturated with Hydrogen Peroxide. Increasing the Hydrogen Peroxide Concentration after the point of saturation has been reached will not cause the rate of reaction to go up any more. When the substrate concentration is lower the reaction rate is slower. Enzymes function as biological catalysts, substances that speed up chemical reactions. Chemically, enzymes are proteins and their three-dimensional shape is important to their catalytic activity. Enzymes are highly specific in terms of the reactions they will catalyse. This means that literally hundreds of different enzymes are required to catalyse the many different reactions which take place in your body each day. The breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, H2O2, is speeded up by catalase. Catalase functions to speed the breakdown of peroxides which ...