Enzymes Essays (511 words) - Catalysis, Antioxidants, Enzymes

I.Introduction A.Background Information Enzymes are very essential to the body; they are the key to life. ?No enzymes, No life.? Enzymes are proteins that function as biological catalysts, increasing the rate of a reaction without being consumed by the reaction. An enzyme speeds up a reaction by lowering the energy of activation (biology 84). Enzymes are catalysts. They make things work faster. Enzymes serve as the labor force to perform every single function required for our daily activities and are required to keep us alive (soul-guidance). Enzymes are in part or in whole proteins and are highly specific in function. Because enzymes lower the energy of activation needed for reactions to take place, they accelerate the rate of reaction. Enzyme activity is influenced by many factors. Varying environmental conditions such as pH or temperature may change the three-dimensional shape of enzyme and alter its rate of activity (symbiosis). Enzymes are the fountain of life. There are two major enzyme systems in the human body. One is digestive and the other is metabolic. The digestive enzyme break down all of the food that we eat so that it can be absorbed by the body. The metabolic enzyme helps to run all of the systems of the body from respiratory to nervous system (soul-guidance). Enzymes are extremely important to our health. When enzymes are short in supply, become inactive, the body will suffer. B.Purpose The purpose of this lab was to determine the rate of enzyme activity using catalase. Catalase is an enzyme that speeds the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide to water and oxygen. To determine the effect of pH (2,4,7,and 12) on catalase, activity, soap, and hydrogen peroxide. C.Hypothesis Catalase is either going to have a higher or lower pH concentration of bubbles. II.Materials and Methods A.Materials oRuler oBeaker oTest tube rack o4 test tubes oWax pencil oDetergent oHydrogen peroxide oCatalase opH 2,4,7,and 12 o5 pipettes oTimer B.Methods Four test tubes were labeled 1-4 with wax pencil. 1 mL catalase was added to each tube. Then pH 2 buffer was added to test tube 1, pH 4 buffer to test tube 2, pH 7 buffer to test tube 4, and pH 12 buffer to test tube 4. After the buffer was added to each tube to a swirl was given to each tube to mix it up. Next a drop of soap was added to each tube and then 2 mL of hydrogen peroxide was added to each tube. The height of the bubble was recorded after 60 seconds. After recording the results in Table 1 and graphed in Figure 1 the test tubes were rinsed and put away. A.Description of Data After adding the soap and hydrogen peroxide to the different pH buffer, the solution was allowed to set for 60. Once the 60 seconds is up, you take the measurements. There was a higher rate of bubbles in pH 7. Symbiosis: Bio 101 Lab Manual 69-67. http:// www.soul-guidance.com/health/enzymes.html Campbell A. Neil. ? The Working Cell.? Biology Concept and Connection. Pearson Education, Inc. 2009. Pg.84