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Ccea as Biology Coursework: an Investigation to Measure the Percentage Light Transmission Through a Solution in Which Jelly Cubes Were Immersed over a 24 Hour Period

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An investigation to measure the percentage light transmission, using a colorimeter, through a solution, from pH 2 – pH 9, in which jelly cubes were immersed over a 24 hour period

Interpretation

Written Communication of the Data
C1

Pepsin is an enzyme that works in the stomach and has an optimal pH between pH 1 and 4 or in acidic conditions. From our graph it can be seen that that the lowest mean percentage light transmission for pepsin is when the buffer has a pH of 2. Trypsin is an enzyme that works in the small intestine and has an optimum pH between pH 7 and 8 or in neutral conditions. From our graph it can be seen that the lowest mean percentage light transmission for trypsin is when the buffer has a pH of 8.

C2 and C3

As the pH …show more content…

It is also more appropriate than measuring the percentage change in mass of the jelly cube before and after the 24 hour period as it is difficult to extract what is left of the jelly and it is not as accurate.

D2

In order to try to obtain accurate results a number of procedures had to be carried out;

• Firstly, we used the same specimen of jelly. Although the jelly is from the same company there could be a difference in the composition of gelatine. If this was allowed to happen it could mean that it would take longer to break down some samples than others. This would then affect the overall results of the experiment as it would create an anomaly.

• Secondly, we also used a colorimeter which is extremely accurate when it comes to measuring the percentage light transmission. As it measures the percentage light transmission as a numerical value.

• Thirdly, we only handled the side of the cuvette as if we touched the front where the light passed through it would affect how much light passed through as it will leave a finger print on the glass and make it harder for the light to pass through.

• Fourthly, we kept the temperature at a constant 25°C using a water bath. At low temperatures, an increase in temperature causes an exponential increase in enzyme activity. This is because an increase in temperature provides more kinetic energy for the collisions of enzymes and substrates, so

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