An Enzyme Controlled Reaction-Catalase Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

An Enzyme Controlled Reaction-Catalase - Essay Example l. Compute the rate of O2 production (cm3/s). m. Plot a graph of concentration of hydrogen peroxide against rate of oxygen production. 5.0 Safety Measures Hydrogen peroxide in high concentrations (18-28 vol.) is irritating to the eye and the skin. The contaminants can cause decomposition leading to explosion after a while. Pressure can build up if reaction containers are blocked. 6.0 Results This experiment has 1 independent variable, 1 dependent variable and 1 control variable. The independent variable is the various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, while the dependent variable is the rate of reaction in terms of oxygen production. The control variable is the temperature of the room and standard pressure. Table 1 shows the average results of the oxygen produced in different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Percentage of Hydrogen peroxide Average volume of oxygen collected (cm3) over time (seconds) 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 100 48.3 68.7 78.3 82.0 85.0 86.7 87.0 87.3 87.7 88.3 88.3 88.3 90 37.3 55.0 63.7 68.3 71.0 72.3 73.0 73.3 73.3 73.3 73.3 73.3 80 32.3 47.3 54.0 59.0 61.3 63.0 63.3 63.7 63.7 63.7 63.7 63.7 70 26.3 40.0 45.7 48.3 49.0 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 49.3 60 20.7 31.7 36.7 40.0 42.7 44.0 44.7 44.7 44.7 44.7 44.7 44.7 50 16.3 27.0 31.0 33.3 35.3 36.3 37.0 37.0 37.0 37.0 37.0 37.0 Table 1: Average volume of oxygen collected Figure 2: reaction at 100% concentration of hydrogen peroxide Figure 3: reaction at 80% concentration of hydrogen peroxide Figure 3: reaction at 50% concentration of hydrogen peroxide 7.0 Discussion To ensure that the process of measuring was accurate, I ensured the room temperature remained constant and the equipment remained in the same conditions for all the tests. In some tests, the level of concentration... To ensure that the process of measuring was accurate, I ensured the room temperature remained constant and the equipment remained in the same conditions for all the tests. In some tests, the level of concentration of hydrogen peroxide was not very accurate due to some technical hitches, but the level of inaccuracy was not substantial enough to affect the findings and conclusion of the experiment. From the results, it appears that less oxygen was produced within the first 5 seconds because the concentration was low. This is because, at higher concentrations of hydrogen peroxide, there are more molecules of hydrogen peroxide leading to more collisions that stimulates more enzyme-substrate to be formed – as the concentration decreased, this collision decelerated as evidenced by the graphs (Chelikani, Fita & Loewen, 2004). These results are exactly as it was expected. Catalase functions as catalyses in most living organisms, by decomposing hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water, as shown in the equation below.2H2O2 + Catalase  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2H2O + O2  Catalase significantly trims down the activation power required for the reaction. In absence of catalase, the breakdown would take a longer time to occur, and would not be able to support life. Since Hydrogen peroxide is a very potent by-product of metabolism, if not decomposed very fast it can cause damage to body cells.