Catalase: An Introduction To Hydrogen Peroxide

Introduction When chemical reactions occur in the body, enzymes are used to speed up the reactions and lower the energy of activation. The rate of reactions is increased due to the complex that is established by the enzyme and the substrate. This complex that forms between the two inhibit movement respective of the two and arranges the reactive groups of the substrates next to each other (1). Enzymes allow chemical equilibrium is able to be maintained throughout the reaction and are not consumed, while accelerating the reaction (2,3). Active sites on the enzymes are where the substrates bind, and the sites are specific to the substrate (2,3). The protein that makes up the enzyme has a particular shape, due to secondary and tertiary structures,

It is also used as an antiseptic for injuries in hospitals and at homes. However, hydrogen peroxide is toxic to cells in high levels due to how readily it transforms to a hydroxyl radical, OH- (5). Catalase is an enzyme whose job is to break down hydrogen peroxide, so it does not convert to the hydroxyl radical. When hydrogen peroxide is present in the cell, catalase catalyzes a reaction that transforms hydrogen peroxide into water and oxygen gas. This reaction causes bubbles to form (4). Without catalase, hydrogen peroxide can kill the

If enzymes are available, other factors contribute to the rate of the reaction, such as pH and temperature as mentioned earlier. Concentration of both the enzyme and the substrate also affects how quickly the reaction occurs within the cell. The amount of enzyme that exists in the cell can affect how much product is formed. The concentration of catalase where enzyme activity is the highest 20% due to the difference in concentrations of the substrate and the enzyme. Activity is the greatest when there is a larger ratio of substrate to enzyme