the effect of catalase on hydrogen peroxide
THE EFFECT OF CATALASE ON
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
The aim of the experiments is to see if increasing the surface area of the enzyme Catalase, affects the relative activity of the substrate Hydrogen peroxide. Then to observe and measure the effect the Catalase has on the chemical breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide.
My theory is if you keep increasing the surface area of Catalase, the more active sites are available to join with the substrate causing an increase in the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide producing more oxygen and water. There will be an optimal point when all the active sites are filled, at this point the reaction will stop, as all the hydrogen peroxide will have been broken down leaving only Catalase, water and oxygen.
I predict the more you increase the surface area of Catalase, the more oxygen produced, because the hydrogen peroxide has more surface area to collide with, causing a faster rate of reaction.
Apparatus/equipment needed
Size 6 hole borer
A tile
2 x measuring cylinders
Conical flask
Bung + delivery tube
Knife
Potatoes
Stop watch
Hydrogen peroxide
Boss + clamp + stand
Water
Plastic container
Method
1. Put on safety glasses
2. Set up equipment as shown above
3. Use the hole borer and bore out pieces of potato then cut into 2cm lengths.
4. Put 1x2cm piece of potato in the conical flask with 50ml of hydrogen peroxide. Replace bung immediately and start stopwatch for 5 minutes.
5. After 5 minutes pull out bung, read the measurement on the upside down measuring cylinder. Record your results
6. Empty and rinse conical flask.
7. Refill upside down measuring cylinder with water
8. Repeat steps 3-7 another 4 times but in step 4 add another 2cm piece of potato each time.
9. Perform the experiment three times
10. Take the room temperature at the start middle and end of the experiment
11. Repeat the steps 3-7 this time omit the potato, this gives the control result. You only need do this once.
RESULTS
HYDROGEN PEROXIDE
The aim of the experiments is to see if increasing the surface area of the enzyme Catalase, affects the relative activity of the substrate Hydrogen peroxide. Then to observe and measure the effect the Catalase has on the chemical breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide.
My theory is if you keep increasing the surface area of Catalase, the more active sites are available to join with the substrate causing an increase in the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide producing more oxygen and water. There will be an optimal point when all the active sites are filled, at this point the reaction will stop, as all the hydrogen peroxide will have been broken down leaving only Catalase, water and oxygen.
I predict the more you increase the surface area of Catalase, the more oxygen produced, because the hydrogen peroxide has more surface area to collide with, causing a faster rate of reaction.
Apparatus/equipment needed
Size 6 hole borer
A tile
2 x measuring cylinders
Conical flask
Bung + delivery tube
Knife
Potatoes
Stop watch
Hydrogen peroxide
Boss + clamp + stand
Water
Plastic container
Method
1. Put on safety glasses
2. Set up equipment as shown above
3. Use the hole borer and bore out pieces of potato then cut into 2cm lengths.
4. Put 1x2cm piece of potato in the conical flask with 50ml of hydrogen peroxide. Replace bung immediately and start stopwatch for 5 minutes.
5. After 5 minutes pull out bung, read the measurement on the upside down measuring cylinder. Record your results
6. Empty and rinse conical flask.
7. Refill upside down measuring cylinder with water
8. Repeat steps 3-7 another 4 times but in step 4 add another 2cm piece of potato each time.
9. Perform the experiment three times
10. Take the room temperature at the start middle and end of the experiment
11. Repeat the steps 3-7 this time omit the potato, this gives the control result. You only need do this once.
RESULTS
References: Johnson.M.D(2013)Human biololgy:concepts and current issues 7th edition, Benjamin cummings publishing Bowness.E.(2009)A2-LEVELBiology:coordination group publications LTD