To investigate the factors that affects the reactivity of the enzyme Catalase.
Catalase is an enzyme, which is present in potato's it breaks down Hydrogen peroxide in to Water and Oxygen. Enzymes are biological catalysts. An enzyme is protein that acts as a catalyst in biochemical reactions. Each enzyme is specific to a particular reaction or group of similar reactions. Enzyme activity is influenced by substrate concentration and by temperature and pH, which must lie within a certain range. Catalyst speed up a chemical reaction by finding an alternate route where the experiment can go throw.
Enzymes control all metabolic reaction. Enzymes are present everywhere in human bodies, washing powders, rivers and the production of fruit juice. Catalase is found in almost any kin of living cells. The reason why Catalase is present in living cells in because hydrogen peroxide is a very dangerous substance. Catalase breaks down the hydrogen up peroxide into water and oxygen. As water is not a very dangerous substance, oxygen is not a very harmful substance per either. The hydrogen peroxide is made by chemical reactions, which occur in living cells. Enzymes are also affected by temperature, this increases their activity. If the temperature increases to much the enzymes will be denaturised.
Hydrogen peroxide Water + Oxygen.
2H2O2 2H2O + O2.
As potato contains Catalase I will use it for this investigation.
Factors, which affect the activity of an enzyme;.
Temperature;.
Temperature affects the activity of an enzyme by doubling the activity with a increase of 100C. This is because the enzyme will have a greater energy to react.
The amount of Catalase.
If there were more catalyse the reaction would react faster. This is because there will be more Catalase to react with.
The amount of Hydrogen concentration of Hydrogen peroxide.
The difference in the concentration of Hydrogen peroxide would mean that there would be a difference mole ratio of Hydrogen peroxide available to react.