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  • Essay / Catalytic Enzymes: How Hydrogen Peroxide Catalyzes

    Table of ContentsMaterials:Discussion:Conclusion:Objective: The purpose of the laboratory is to learn the functions of enzymes, particularly in chemical reactions, and to determine whether , over time, the enzymes' activity changes rate. Specifically, the lab was conducted to learn the use of catalase in hydrogen peroxide to create a chemical reaction, follow the correct lab procedure, and accurately measure and record data. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why violent video games should not be banned"? Get the original essay Materials: 6 clean test tubes Calorimeter consisting of a graduated cylinder, a cotton ball cap and a probe temperature gauge (which is connected to the Pro lab which in turn is connected to the computer to compile the data)Cotton ballCapForcepsGraduated cylinderHydrogen peroxidePieces of paper towelRaw and boiled carrot samplesRaw and boiled liver samplesRaw and boiled apple samples soilTest tube rackWriting utensil (to observe and label)Discussion:The laboratory observations match the background description of the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide by catalase. Raw samples at room temperature formed many bubbles (for an explanation of how to read a sentence or two), while boiled temperatures did not (these samples formed few or no bubbles ) because the enzymes, which act as catalysts in this experiment, work best at room temperature, body temperature. A higher temperature will affect the effectiveness of the enzymes as catalysts for the reaction and therefore cause fewer bubbles due to the lethargy of the chemical reaction (the breakdown of the hydrogen peroxide, which causes the bubbles). Catalase, in this experiment, is an enzyme acting as a catalyst. There were bubbles when catalase was added because catalase creates a chemical reaction, causing hydrogen peroxide (2H202) to break down into 2H20 (water) and 02 (oxygen in gas form) reducing the activation energy necessary to start the reaction. Oxygen, in gaseous form, causes the bubbles when it escapes after being broken down by hydrogen peroxide. Catalase found in plant and animal tissues is the enzyme that acts as a catalyst in the experiment. Plant tissues have a cell well made up of cellulose while it is absent in animal cells. This is what causes the reaction because it breaks down the hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, when poured onto a wound, begins to bubble. Since catalase acting with hydrogen peroxide creates bubbles by breaking down hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas, it is logical to assume that catalase exists in human tissues. The average change in total temperature over the course of the tests, from lowest to highest temperatures, was 10.7. degrees Celsius. The average temperature change from zero to three hundred seconds during testing was 9.25 degrees Celsius. If the graph reaches a plateau, then the reaction rate is neither negative nor positive; it is zero, because the rate is stable, constant and does not change. The plateau means the reaction is complete. This experiment is an exothermic reaction. You could notice the heat emanating from it if your hands were placed on it. If the temperature initially increases and then decreases, this means that the reaction is occurring very quickly and heat is expelled quickly in the exothermic reaction..