How does varying temperatures (15 ℃, 35 ℃ and 60℃ ) of water affect enzyme
activity as measured by the oxygen yield between hydrogen peroxide (10 %) and
catalase solution (2%) reactions?
Rationale and Background:
This investigation determines the optimal temperature (hot, warm or cold) in which enzyme activity is at
its most efficient and effective stage. To determine this, it will be investigated through the reaction
between catalase and hydrogen peroxide. This will allow a similar reaction to the original experiment
(potato and hydrogen peroxide), while providing a broader perspective of enzyme activity.
Enzyme activity is the rate of reaction that an enzyme catalyses its target substrate into its products
(Roberts, 2013). Enzymes are a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions. Every enzyme
binds with a particular substrate, which is determined by the unique structure of the active site of the
enzyme. This phenomenon is represented by the lock and key mechanism, which describes the binding
relationship between the enzyme and substrate due to its specificity. Catalase will be the enzyme
utilised in this experiment along with its substrate: hydrogen peroxide. The function of a catalase is to
protect the body from oxidative damage. To do this, it breaks down hydrogen peroxide into harmless
water and oxygen. (Buddies, 2016)
There are many underlying factors that affect the enzymatic activity of enzymes. For example, the
binding sites of the enzymes, pH levels and temperature. Among the three, the factor that will be used
in this experiment, is temperature. As temperature increases, the vibrations of the particles increase,
creating more collisions of the substrate into the active site. The optimum point would be 37. If it is
lower, it gets too cold for any operation. Whereas, when it reaches to 60 the enzyme undergoes
denaturation, a process where the enzyme loses its shape, making it unable to perform its function.
Refer to appendix 1 for the results and process of the original experiment. Conclusions drawn from the
original experiment is that the most effective results were shown at room temperature. However, there
were many limitations to the original experiment. Measuring the height of the bubble with a ruler was
an invalid technique, as it could have allowed oxygen to have escaped. There was no set temperature
and since the trials began at different times, the hot temperature would have cooled and differed.
Therefore, these have been considered and modified so that the refined experiment can produce even
more accurate results.
Original Modification Justification
Redirection Using potatoes Using catalase Catalase solution was
as the enzyme. solution used as a replacement.
It was used as it
guaranteed results.
Extended 2 trials of each 3 trials of each To ensure that outliers
temperature. temperature. would be eliminated
which will allow a more
accurate results to be
, achieved.
Refinement Measuring the Measuring with A more accurate
oxygen yield a gas syringe. procedure to measure
with ruler. Using the oxygen and to
Having boiled thermometers avoid oxygen to
water, iced and water escape.
water and tap baths. Also, Maintain the same and
water as the having set consistent temperature
different temperatures of each different
temperatures. where the cold temperatures so that
(No consistent would be 15 ℃ the data is consistent
measurement , room would and accurate and
of the be 35 ℃ and would not be skewed.
temperatures) 60℃ .
Development of research question:
The broad research question is ‘how does temperature affect enzyme activity?’ The development and
refinement to a more specific research question is as follows:
The temperature could be specified and from the original experiment as there were three
categories: hot, warm and cold. Hot at 60℃ , warm at 35℃ and the cold at 15 ℃.
The enzyme activity would be specified to be experimented between H 2 O 2 and catalase
solution
Hence the final research question is ‘How does varying temperatures (15 ℃, 35 ℃, and 60 ℃) of water
affect enzyme activity as measured by the oxygen yield between hydrogen peroxide (10%) and enzyme
solution (2%) reactions?’
Hazard: Risk: Control measures: Safety procedures:
Spills Spillage of hydrogen peroxide: Wearing gloves, aprons All spillages
Will cause irritation and glasses (any other need to be
when it comes in protective equipment) reported to
contact to the skin. can prevent the contact the
Can also be harmful if of hydrogen peroxide supervisor
swallowed, inhaled or with skin and eyes. immediately
if it gets into the eyes If it encounters the
skin, rinse the area
thoroughly using water.
If it is in the eyes, rinse
for 20 minutes
Broken Glass type equipment Handle equipment Report to
equipment such as beakers and appropriately supervisor if
the gas syringe can Always check condition there are any
cut skin when broken. of equipment before damaged
Damage to the gas use equipment
syringe if the inner
tube falls out
Harmful Hydrogen peroxide Do not pour the Follow
activity as measured by the oxygen yield between hydrogen peroxide (10 %) and
catalase solution (2%) reactions?
Rationale and Background:
This investigation determines the optimal temperature (hot, warm or cold) in which enzyme activity is at
its most efficient and effective stage. To determine this, it will be investigated through the reaction
between catalase and hydrogen peroxide. This will allow a similar reaction to the original experiment
(potato and hydrogen peroxide), while providing a broader perspective of enzyme activity.
Enzyme activity is the rate of reaction that an enzyme catalyses its target substrate into its products
(Roberts, 2013). Enzymes are a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reactions. Every enzyme
binds with a particular substrate, which is determined by the unique structure of the active site of the
enzyme. This phenomenon is represented by the lock and key mechanism, which describes the binding
relationship between the enzyme and substrate due to its specificity. Catalase will be the enzyme
utilised in this experiment along with its substrate: hydrogen peroxide. The function of a catalase is to
protect the body from oxidative damage. To do this, it breaks down hydrogen peroxide into harmless
water and oxygen. (Buddies, 2016)
There are many underlying factors that affect the enzymatic activity of enzymes. For example, the
binding sites of the enzymes, pH levels and temperature. Among the three, the factor that will be used
in this experiment, is temperature. As temperature increases, the vibrations of the particles increase,
creating more collisions of the substrate into the active site. The optimum point would be 37. If it is
lower, it gets too cold for any operation. Whereas, when it reaches to 60 the enzyme undergoes
denaturation, a process where the enzyme loses its shape, making it unable to perform its function.
Refer to appendix 1 for the results and process of the original experiment. Conclusions drawn from the
original experiment is that the most effective results were shown at room temperature. However, there
were many limitations to the original experiment. Measuring the height of the bubble with a ruler was
an invalid technique, as it could have allowed oxygen to have escaped. There was no set temperature
and since the trials began at different times, the hot temperature would have cooled and differed.
Therefore, these have been considered and modified so that the refined experiment can produce even
more accurate results.
Original Modification Justification
Redirection Using potatoes Using catalase Catalase solution was
as the enzyme. solution used as a replacement.
It was used as it
guaranteed results.
Extended 2 trials of each 3 trials of each To ensure that outliers
temperature. temperature. would be eliminated
which will allow a more
accurate results to be
, achieved.
Refinement Measuring the Measuring with A more accurate
oxygen yield a gas syringe. procedure to measure
with ruler. Using the oxygen and to
Having boiled thermometers avoid oxygen to
water, iced and water escape.
water and tap baths. Also, Maintain the same and
water as the having set consistent temperature
different temperatures of each different
temperatures. where the cold temperatures so that
(No consistent would be 15 ℃ the data is consistent
measurement , room would and accurate and
of the be 35 ℃ and would not be skewed.
temperatures) 60℃ .
Development of research question:
The broad research question is ‘how does temperature affect enzyme activity?’ The development and
refinement to a more specific research question is as follows:
The temperature could be specified and from the original experiment as there were three
categories: hot, warm and cold. Hot at 60℃ , warm at 35℃ and the cold at 15 ℃.
The enzyme activity would be specified to be experimented between H 2 O 2 and catalase
solution
Hence the final research question is ‘How does varying temperatures (15 ℃, 35 ℃, and 60 ℃) of water
affect enzyme activity as measured by the oxygen yield between hydrogen peroxide (10%) and enzyme
solution (2%) reactions?’
Hazard: Risk: Control measures: Safety procedures:
Spills Spillage of hydrogen peroxide: Wearing gloves, aprons All spillages
Will cause irritation and glasses (any other need to be
when it comes in protective equipment) reported to
contact to the skin. can prevent the contact the
Can also be harmful if of hydrogen peroxide supervisor
swallowed, inhaled or with skin and eyes. immediately
if it gets into the eyes If it encounters the
skin, rinse the area
thoroughly using water.
If it is in the eyes, rinse
for 20 minutes
Broken Glass type equipment Handle equipment Report to
equipment such as beakers and appropriately supervisor if
the gas syringe can Always check condition there are any
cut skin when broken. of equipment before damaged
Damage to the gas use equipment
syringe if the inner
tube falls out
Harmful Hydrogen peroxide Do not pour the Follow
