Laboratory: Enzyme Activity

In this laboratory you will examinefactors that affect enzyme activity.

Catalase is an enzyme found in theliver that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas.It catalyzes the following reaction:

H2O2 H2O + O2

You will examine two factors thataffect its activity.

Part A: The Effect ofTemperature on Enzyme Activity

Graph the volume of oxygen produced against the temperature ofthe solution.

How is the oxygen production in 30 seconds related to the rateof the reaction?

At what temperature is the rate of reaction the highest? Lowest?Explain.

Why might the enzyme activity decrease at very hightemperatures?

Why might a high fever be dangerous to humans?

What is the optimal temperature for enzymes in the humanbody?

Part B: The Effect of pH onEnzyme Activity

Graph the volume of oxygen produced against the pH of thesolution.

At what pH is the rate of reaction the highest? Lowest?Explain.

Why does changing the pH affect the enzyme activity?

Research the enzyme catalase. What is its function in the humanbody?

What is the optimal pH for the following enzymes found in thehuman body? Explain. (catalase, lipase (in your stomach), pepsin,salivary amylase)

I would highly appreciate if it was in a text form nothandwritten.

Thank you very much.