Enzyme Reaction Lab

Investigating the effect of enzyme age on rate of reaction

Research Question:

What is the effect of the age of the enzyme catalase on rate of decomposition of hydrogen peroxide?

Introduction

Any substance which speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction without being consumed or permanently changed is called a catalyst. Catalysts made by living organisms are called enzymes. Enzymes can be used to speed up metabolic reactions, digest food, and break down toxins in the body (Williams).

Catalase is an enzyme which catalyzes the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide, a toxic byproduct of the body’s metabolic processes. In animal body systems, the liver is where the blood is detoxified. The source of this experiment’s catalase is from the liver of a Gallus gallus

Measure 100 grams of chicken liver using an electronic scale.

2. Carefully transfer chicken liver from electronic scale into a blender.

3. Measure 100 grams of cold water.

4. Carefully pour cold water into blender.

5. Add 6-8 ice cubes into the blender.

6. After securing a lid onto the blender, blend liver for 30 seconds.

7. Check for smoothness. If many large chunks are still visible, blend for 30 more seconds.

8. Using a funnel, pour blended chicken liver into a canted flask.

Experiment Procedure

1. Label one of the smaller graduated cylinders and one of the pipettes as “H2O2” for hydrogen peroxide. This will prevent cross contamination in later trials.

2. Using the H2O2 graduated cylinder, measure 5mL of H2O2. Use the H2O2 pipette for extra accuracy.

3. Carefully pour the H2O2 into the larger graduated cylinder.

4. Label the remaining graduated cylinder and remaining pipette as “C” for catalase to prevent cross contamination.

5. Using the C pipette, transfer 5 mL of chicken liver solution into the graduated cylinder,