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Biology Lab

The investigation aimed to study the effect of substrate concentration on catalase activity using varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The experiment involved measuring the number of bubbles produced by catalase in potato discs immersed in different concentrations of H2O2. Results indicated that higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide led to increased catalase activity, while factors such as temperature and potato variability were noted as potential sources of error.

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13 views4 pages

Biology Lab

The investigation aimed to study the effect of substrate concentration on catalase activity using varying concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. The experiment involved measuring the number of bubbles produced by catalase in potato discs immersed in different concentrations of H2O2. Results indicated that higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide led to increased catalase activity, while factors such as temperature and potato variability were noted as potential sources of error.

Uploaded by

morgan1617181920
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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LAB #7

DATE:October 24th, 2024


TITLE:An investigation of the effect of substrate concentration on the rate of activity of catalase
AIM:To investigate the effect of substrate concentration on the rate of activity of catalase
APPARATUS AND MATERIALS:cork borer, 250ml beaker, 10ml syringes, boiling tubes, test
tubes, rubber bung fitted with delivery tube,scalpel/knife, white tile, forceps, stopwatch, large
Irish potato, distilled water,hydrogen peroxide(H2O2) of the following concentrations:0.5M,
1.0M,1.5M and 2.0M

DIAGRAM OF APPARATUS:

METHOD:
1)​ A large cork borer was used to cut cylinders in a large Irish potato. The cylinders were
then immersed in a beaker of distilled water
2)​ 10ml of 0.5M of 𝐻2𝑂2 solution was added to the boiling tube
3)​ The test tube was half filled with distilled water so that the end of the delivery tube was
well below the water surface(as shown in the diagram)
4)​ 10 2mm-thick discs were cut from a potato cylinder and placed into the boiling tube
5)​ The boiling tube was stoppered and shaked tightly with the rubber bung which was fitted
with the delivery tube and submerged into the test tube of distilled water
6)​ The number of bubbles produced in a minute was recorded after 45 seconds in the table
7)​ Steps 2-6 were repeated twice for the 0.5M concentration,using fresh potato and H2O2
solution so the average number of bubbles produced per minute could be found
8)​ The experiment was repeated using the 1.0M, 1.5M and 2.0M concentrations of H202
and distilled water
9)​ A graph was plotted to show the average rate of catalase activity in each substrate
concentration

RESULTS:
DISCUSSION:
By definition, an enzyme is a protein which is a vital part of how quickly our metabolism works in
our bodies. There can be several factors affecting enzyme activity, one of which being
temperatures. In order for enzymes to react properly, they must be at an optimum temperature
range or else they will not be able to bond with their corresponding substrate.

It was noticed while observations took place that the maximum saturation rate was not reached
in the solutions, therefore it was unsaturated. It is believed that potatoes were used in this
experiment as the enzyme present is actually catalase. Bubbles were produced in the hydrogen
peroxide overtime if left to set.The catalase present in the potatoes would therefore break down
hydrogen peroxide a lot faster than usual due to how it reacts to it. The potatoes were cut into
slices most likely to have an even amount of enzyme activity taking place in each percentage of
solution. In cells, catalase is used to decompose hydrogen peroxide, defending all cells, tissue
and organs present. Being a very strong enzyme, catalase is able to break down millions of
these molecules per second.

Finally, some trends were observed throughout the process. Some of them were the fact that as
the concentration of hydrogen peroxide and distilled water, the more bubbles were produced. A
major example of this was that no bubbles were produced in distilled water whereas 4 or 5
bubbles were produced in the 2.0M solution.

PRECAUTIONS:
1)​ The potatoes were carefully cut with a knife, making sure all safety measure were in
place
2)​ All solutions were poured gently into their respective tubes

SOURCES OF ERROR:
1)​ Not all discs were cut to scale
2)​ The hydrogen peroxide could have been left out for too long

LIMITATIONS:
1)​ Different potatoes had different enzyme concentrations
2)​ The temperature could have affected the rate of reaction

CONCLUSION:
The effect of substrate concentration on the rate of catalase activity was successfully
investigated, showing how different percentages of solutions used can affect each reaction.

REFLECTION:
This experiment showed many valuable pieces of information. It showed how enzymes are
slightly unpredictable in terms of how they react to different percentages of distilled water and
hydrogen peroxide. This makes it safe to say that depending on what solution the catalase was
prezent, the faster or slower they break down the cells present.

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