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Factors That Affect An Enzyme Activity

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Introduction: The motive of this lab is to attain a better understanding of enzyme activity by timing chemical reactions in certain temperatures and pH levels. Enzymes act as catalysts that help speed up reactions. Without these enzymes chemical reactions in metabolism would be backed up. There are two factors that affect an enzyme’s reaction rate: temperature and pH levels. In this label we will be testing different pH levels and temperatures to see which ones cause the most reactions. Our team was given the temperature of 37 degrees celsius. For this experiment we will be looking for any bubbles and measuring air change in a submerged cylinder. Our hypothesis stated: “At 37 degrees celsius the enzyme would have affected the catalase …show more content…

It took a lot of to keep the water and the chosen temperature. When we were able to keep the temperature the same we began to measure out our catalyst. Our solution, 5-ml of hydrogen peroxide, was then measured into the 10-ml graduated cylinder and placed into the tub of 37 degrees celsius. As we let the solution warm to 37 degrees celsius, we took three filter paper disks and soaked them in our catalyst, a catalase solution. We used a curved-tip forceps to place the three disks into a reaction chamber. We let the three disks dry onto the side of the chamber and then pour our hydrogen peroxide into the chamber. Our first attempt failed when the hydrogen peroxide met with the dry disks causing them to fall. We redid the procedure with new materials and this time, with success. We then took the 50-ml graduated cylinder and placed it under the water. When the cylinder had filled with water, we turned it upside down and used the stand with the clamp to hold it in place. We connected the flexible tube to the reaction chamber and slipped the other end into the flipped 50-ml cylinder. When we stuck the reaction chamber into the tub, our flexible tube slipped and water filled the inside of our reaction chamber. We restarted the experiment and this time (finally) with more success. We set a timer to go off at thirty-second intervals and marked down any change in the level of the water in the cylinder or the frequency of bubbles. After we had recorded the

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