To Determine an Enzyme's Optimal Temperature

Lab#:

Title: Enzymes

Aim: To determine the optimal temperature of an enzyme.

Apparatus & Materials:

Diagram:

Method:

1.      Pour 10ml of potato extract in a clean, dry beaker and place beaker in water bath that is at 50⁰C.

2.      Immediately add 10ml of hydrogen peroxide to beaker with potato extract.

3.      Remove the beaker at the end of three minutes and use a ruler to measure the height of bubbles produced.

4.      Repeat the above steps at 40⁰C, 35^OC, 32⁰C , 20⁰C and 10⁰C.

5.      Use an appropriate equation to calculate the rate of reaction in m/s (standard form please)

6.      Record your results in a suitable table.

7.      Use your results to plot an appropriate graph.

Calculations:

Discussion questions:

1.      Define enzyme, optimum temperature and rate of reaction.

2.      State the importance of hydrogen peroxide degradation.

3.      Account for your results briefly. Identify the enzyme, substrates and products (write a chemical equation that summarizes the reaction). What factors were kept constant and why were they kept constant?

4.      Why did you blend potato?

5.      List two limitations.