Enzyme Activity

In this lab or experiment, the aim was to determine the following factors of enzymes: (1) the effects of enzymes concentration the catalytic rate or the rate of the reaction, (2) the effects of pH on a particular enzyme, an enzyme known and referred throughout this experiment as ALP (alkaline phosphate enzyme) and lastly (3) the effects of various temperatures on the reaction or catalytic rate. Throughout the experiment 8 separate cuvettes and tubes are mixed with various solutions (labeled as tables 1,3 & 4 in the apparatus/materials sections of the lab) and tested for the effects of the factors mentioned above (concentration, pH and temperature). The tubes labeled 1-4 are tested for pH with pH paper and by spectrophotometer, cuvettes 1a-4a was tested for concentration and cuvettes labeled 1b-4b was tested for temperature in four different atmospheric conditions (4ºC, 23ºC, 32ºC and 60ºC) to see how the enzyme solution was affected by the various conditions. After carrying out the procedures the results showed that the experiment followed the theory for the most part, which is that all the factors work best at its optimum level. So, the optimum pH that the enzymes reacted at was a pH of 7 (neutral), the optimum temperature that the reactions occurs with the enzymes is a temperature of 4ºC or

12.Stir then pour 2.5ml of the enzyme mixture into one of the test tubes not allowing any water from the saucepan into the test tube.

These results show how temperature of extreme high, or low affects enzyme activity. The highest rate of enzyme activity occurred at 37 Cº. Anything that was hotter or cold than 37 Cº slowed the reaction rate. As I thought, 100 degrees would denature the enzyme, and that was the case. The data provided shows exactly what temperatures enzymes work best, and worst. The objective was achieved as we discovered the different reaction rates under different temperatures. The results are reliable, as we know enzymes do not work well when under extreme heat or denaturation occurs. What I learned in this experiment was that enzymes don’t work well under cold temperatures because they tend to move slower. My hypothesis did not quite match, because I thought they work best at lower temperatures.

3. We poured tube 1 with the solution in tube 3 to combine them. We repeated this for all of the tubes. Each of the tubes in step 1 was mixed with a tube in step 3, making there be 6 total test tubes with a solution in it.

The reaction will be complete after approximately 60 seconds. Observe where color develops, and consider what these results indicate. Record your results in Table 1.

Use the same Elodea to conduct the other 4 trials for that same temperature, repeat steps 1-5 for each trial.

There were several steps completed to prepare for the experiment. Three dialysis tubes were filled with approximately the same volume of distilled water and then were tied shut. The initial mass (in grams) of the tubes was taken using a triple beam scale. I then filled three 500 mL beakers with 400 mL of water each and dissolved different masses of solute (table sugar) in each beaker in order to make 5%, 10%, and 20% solutions. The beakers were labeled accordingly, and then 20 g, 40 g, and 80 g (respectively) of table sugar was weighed out using a digital scale and placed into the corresponding beakers. The sugar was stirred in using a stirring rod until all of the solute was completely dissolved.

Living cells within our bodies perform an abundance of chemical reactions very speedily because of the participation of enzymes. Enzymes are biological catalysts that speed up a chemical reaction without being depleted or altered in the reaction (Garrette & Grisham, 1999). The

3.Measure and add 0.5g, 1.0g, and 1.5g of sucrose into 3 of the test tubes. Do not add sucrose into the 4th test tube because this will be the control. Lightly shake the test tube to mix the contents together.

Enzymes are a key aspect in our everyday life and are a key to sustaining life. They are biological catalysts that help speed up the rate of reactions. They do this by lowering the activation energy of chemical reactions (Biology Department, 2011).

Organisms cannot depend solely on spontaneous reactions for the production of materials because they occur slowly and are not responsive to the organism's needs (Martineau, Dean, et al, Laboratory Manual, 43). In order to speed up the reaction process, cells use enzymes as biological catalysts. Enzymes are able to speed up the reaction through lowering activation energy. Additionally, enzymes facilitate reactions without being consumed (manual,43). Each enzyme acts on a specific molecule or set of molecules referred to as the enzyme's substrate and the results of this reaction are called products (manual 43). As a result, enzymes promote a reaction so that substrates are converted into products on a faster pace (manual 43). Most enzymes are proteins whose structure is determined by its sequence of its amino acids. Enzymes are designed to function the best under physiological conditions of PH and temperature. Any change of these variables that change the conformation of the enzyme will destroy or enhance enzyme activity(manual, 43).

In the following experiments we will measure precise amounts of potato extract as well as Phenylthiourea, combined with or without deionized water and in some instances change the temperature and observe and record the reaction. We will also investigate the different levels of prepared pH on varying samples of the potato extract and the Phenylthiourea and record the results. We will answer question such as what is the best temperature for optimum temperature reaction as well as the best pH level for the same reaction.

After the hour has passed, remove the tubes and add 2-3 drops of biuret reagent to each tube and shake.

After the 30 minutes, the color was observed and recorded on the data sheet. The dialysis tubing was removed from the beaker and a small slice was made, we then used a glucose indicator strip to test for the presence of glucose, along with the solution in the beaker. The results were then recorded in table 1on the data sheet.

Half of each tube’s contents are poured into a new test tube each respectively after the tubes are incubated for 1 hour. One set of tubes is tested for: