School Improvement in Maryland


EXTENSION (4)
“Enzyme Action: Testing Catalase Activity”
 
Rationale:
  • To explore the effect of changes in enzyme concentration, temperature, and pH on enzyme activity
     
Time:
  • Approximately 45 minutes
     
Objectives:
  • To test the effect of the concentration of catalase on the enzymatic breakdown of hydrogen peroxide
  • To test the effect of pH on the enzymatic breakdown of hydrogen peroxide
  • To test the effect of temperature on the enzymatic breakdown of hydrogen peroxide
     
Materials:
  • CBL/TI system
  • Vernier Biology Gas Pressure Sensor
  • temperature probe or thermometer
  • hydrogen peroxide
  • fresh calf's liver
  • water bath
  • pH buffers (4, 7, and 10)
  • see lab for additional materials
     
Overview:
  • Student groups will measure the effect of enzyme concentration, pH, or temperature on the breakdown of hydrogen peroxide by catalase.
  • Data will be shared among groups.
  • Students will compare experimental results to conditions normally found in the human body.
     
Procedure:

return.