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Chemical Reaction Lab

Decent Essays

Chemical reactions occur every day almost continuously, both in the natural world outside as well as inside living organisms. These reactions occur at varying speeds, but are usually considerably slow. Some reactions can take as long as seven years for the molecules to undergo the reaction process (Berenbaum 153-154). However, with the presence of an enzyme in the reaction, this process speeds up considerably. A reaction that takes seven years to complete, now takes less than a second to finish (Berenbaum 154). With the help of these enzymes, chemical reactions are sped up to where they are able to help with the natural processes of the world. An enzyme is an organic molecule that catalyzes reactions and speeds them up, but is able to be …show more content…

In testing the differences that pH and temperature place on the enzyme, it will be possible to deduct the changes in enzymatic activity because of their surroundings. By using starch, a molecule that is hydrolyzed by amylase, it is possible to see the disappearance of substrate and creation of product with the addition of Lugol’s iodine (Fox 64). Adding the starch to the enzyme solution in the experiment allows for comparison between differing pH levels as well as the different temperatures that one might find amylase. It will be possible to determine what temperature and pH level are most effective for the enzyme to function at by running these comparisons. With the change in temperature from what it is normally functioning at, the enzymatic activity will decrease. As the temperature rises the organic catalyst will speed up its reaction time, but then begin to denature until it reaches a point where it will no longer be able to function properly. The reaction time slows down when the temperature is dropped, and once it reaches a certain level the protein is no longer able to function. A similar situation occurs with pH levels, as the acidity changes it creates problems for the enzyme and the reactions it is trying to

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