Enzymes, which speed up a chemical reaction without being consumed or changing the products of the reaction, are very important because they control the cellular activity of all living organisms. Enzymes are also described as being “catalysts”. In biological systems, specific enzymes catalyze particular cellular reactions. Each enzyme has a unique 3-D shape, and this shape determines which reaction it catalyzes. However, in order for a chemical reaction to move forward, an energy barrier must be, which is precisely where enzymes are crucial. Enzymes bind to substrates, lowering the energy barrier so that the chemical reaction occurs at a faster rate. Catalase, a common enzyme that is found in almost all living organisms who are …show more content…
Use a dropper to add 1mL of the 30% hydrogen peroxide solution and 5ml of distilled water into the second test tube to create 6mL of 5% hydrogen peroxide solution.
9. Use the dropper to drop 1mL of the 5% hydrogen peroxide solution from the second graduated cylinder into the second test tube. Use the stopwatch to record the time for the height of the bubbles to reach maximum height. Observe and record any evidence of a chemical reaction.
10. Cut and measure 0.5g of pig liver on the digital scale.
11. Use tweezers to place 0.5g of pig liver in the third test tube.
12. Use a dropper to add 2mL of the 30% hydrogen peroxide solution and 4ml of the distilled water into the third test tube to create 6mL of 10% hydrogen peroxide solution.
13. Use the dropper to drop 1mL of the 10% hydrogen peroxide solution from the third graduated cylinder into the third test tube. Use the stopwatch to record the time for the height of the bubbles to reach maximum height. Observe and record any evidence of a chemical reaction.
14. Repeat steps 2-13 for at least 1 additional trial with three new clean test tubes.
15. Pour the liver from the test tubes into a waste bin, clean each of the test tubes out thoroughly, and put all materials away.