Effect of Temperature on Catalase Activity
Objective
- Investigate the effect of temperature on the rate of catalase activity.
Materials Needed
- Enzyme source (celery or radishes)
- Hydrogen peroxide
- pH 9 buffer solution
- Washing up liquid
- Boiling tubes
- Graduated cylinders
- Water baths (0 - 60°C)
- Thermometer
- Knife and chopping board
- Electronic balance
- Weigh boats
- Dropper
- Test tube rack
Procedure
-
Prepare Buffer Solution:
- Add 20 cm³ of pH 9 buffer to a graduated cylinder.
- Use a dropper for the final 1-2 cm³ to ensure accuracy.
- Add one drop of washing up liquid to the solution.
-
Prepare Celery Sample:
- Finely chop 5g of celery.
- Weigh the chopped celery to as close to 5g as possible and record the weight.
-
Set Up Reaction:
- Add 2 cm³ of hydrogen peroxide to a boiling tube.
- Add 5g of chopped celery to the graduated cylinder.
- Combine the hydrogen peroxide from the boiling tube with the graduated cylinder.
- Record the initial reading immediately.
-
Conduct Experiment at Various Temperatures:
- Repeat the procedure at temperatures ranging from 5°C to 60°C.
- Suggested temperatures: 25°C, 45°C, and 60°C.
Data Recording
- Record your results in a table with:
- Temperature (°C)
- Initial volume (cm³)
- Volume of foam produced (cm³)
Data Analysis
-
Plot the results on a graph:
- Y-axis: Volume of foam produced after 2 minutes (enzyme activity)
- X-axis: Temperature (°C)
-
Identify the highest point on the graph as the optimum temperature, where the enzyme works best.
Note: The section "I'll be up, up, and away..." appears unrelated to the experiment. It might have been included mistakenly or for motivational purposes.