To Investigate the Action of the Enzyme Catalase
Catalase Lab
Introduction: Catalase is an enzyme normally found in many plant and animal tissues. Its purpose is to destroy toxic substances which may be introduced into cells. Also, some cells use catalase to destroy cellular debris or worn out organelles. In this lab, we will use a catalase solution from potatoes and determine the effect of temperature and pH on the action of this enzyme. The substrate of the enzyme will be 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Catalase works by the following mechanism:
2 H2O2 ------------------>____2 H2O+ O2
Materials:
• 1M HCl • 6 test tubes • hot water bath • graduated cylinder • 1M • • NaOH • test tube rack • ice bath • 100 ml beaker • H2O2 • test tube holder
Safety: HCl and NaOH are strong acids and bases. If you spill these chemicals on your skin, immediately wash in running water. Wear goggles at all times. Be careful of hot water and hot plates.
Procedure:
Part A:
1. Label 3 test tubes hot, cold and room temp.
2. Place 3ml of potato catalase into each test tube.
3. Place the test tube labeled hot in the hot water bath for 3 minutes.
4. Place the test tube labeled cold in the cold water bath for 3 minutes and the test tube labeled room temperature leave in the test tube rack.
5. After 3 minutes, add 3ml of H2O2 to each tube.
6. Wait one minute and record the height of the bubbles in each tube in cm. Record in Table 1. Measure the radius of the test tube and record in Table 1.
Part B:
1. Label 3 test tubes acid, base and water.
2. Place 3ml of potato catalase into each test tube.
3. Add 10 drops of HCl to the tube labeled acid, 10 drops of NaOH to the tube labeled base and 10 drops of water to the tube labeled water. Mix contents by gently swirling.
4. Wait 2 minutes then add 3ml of H2O2 to each tube.
5. Wait 1 minute for reaction to occur, then measure the height of the bubbles in cm. Record in Table 2.
6. Measure the radius of the test tube and record
Introduction: Catalase is an enzyme normally found in many plant and animal tissues. Its purpose is to destroy toxic substances which may be introduced into cells. Also, some cells use catalase to destroy cellular debris or worn out organelles. In this lab, we will use a catalase solution from potatoes and determine the effect of temperature and pH on the action of this enzyme. The substrate of the enzyme will be 3% hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Catalase works by the following mechanism:
2 H2O2 ------------------>____2 H2O+ O2
Materials:
• 1M HCl • 6 test tubes • hot water bath • graduated cylinder • 1M • • NaOH • test tube rack • ice bath • 100 ml beaker • H2O2 • test tube holder
Safety: HCl and NaOH are strong acids and bases. If you spill these chemicals on your skin, immediately wash in running water. Wear goggles at all times. Be careful of hot water and hot plates.
Procedure:
Part A:
1. Label 3 test tubes hot, cold and room temp.
2. Place 3ml of potato catalase into each test tube.
3. Place the test tube labeled hot in the hot water bath for 3 minutes.
4. Place the test tube labeled cold in the cold water bath for 3 minutes and the test tube labeled room temperature leave in the test tube rack.
5. After 3 minutes, add 3ml of H2O2 to each tube.
6. Wait one minute and record the height of the bubbles in each tube in cm. Record in Table 1. Measure the radius of the test tube and record in Table 1.
Part B:
1. Label 3 test tubes acid, base and water.
2. Place 3ml of potato catalase into each test tube.
3. Add 10 drops of HCl to the tube labeled acid, 10 drops of NaOH to the tube labeled base and 10 drops of water to the tube labeled water. Mix contents by gently swirling.
4. Wait 2 minutes then add 3ml of H2O2 to each tube.
5. Wait 1 minute for reaction to occur, then measure the height of the bubbles in cm. Record in Table 2.
6. Measure the radius of the test tube and record