Research Question: How effectively does various concentration of alcohols

inhibit the catalase-catalysed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide (𝑯𝟐 𝑶𝟐 )?

1: Introduction

Weighing about 3 pounds and of a reddish-brown colour, the liver is situated below the lungs and to
the left and above the stomach. The liver is the largest gland and the largest solid organ in the human
body, and it plays a very important role in the functioning of the human body. Some roles of the liver
include the filtering of blood coming from the digestive tract, bile secretion to aid lipid digestion and
detoxification (Newman, 2018). In this investigation, I would like to explore a specific function of the
liver – the detoxification of hydrogen peroxide. One toxin that the liver decomposes is hydrogen
peroxide (Chemical formula: 𝐻2 𝑂2) – which, if not decomposed, can cause damage or breakdown of
the walls of human cells, damage to DNA and fatty acid oxidation – which can cause great harm to the
human body. Hydrogen peroxide is produced via various metabolic reactions in our bodies. Luckily,
the human liver produces catalase, an enzyme that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into water and
oxygen – which can be given off when you perspire and when you exhale respectively, eliminating the
potential harm to the human body that hydrogen peroxide can impose. However, studies show that
alcoholics have a higher risk of liver damage than non-alcoholics: this is because alcohol is able to
inhibit the catalase-catalysed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. When the catalase-catalysed
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide is inhibited, hydrogen peroxide will begin to accumulate in the
liver – which can cause liver damage and, in some cases, liver cancer. I specifically chose this research
question because I have a strong interest in the field of medicine and human physiology. Also, as I am
getting closer to the legal drinking age – I would like to educate myself on the consequences of drinking
alcohol.

2: Investigation

2.1 – Hypothesis:

𝐻1 : As the concentration of alcohol increases, the more effective the inhibition of the catalase-catalysed
decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.
𝐻0 : As the concentration of alcohol increases, there is no change in the effectiveness of the inhibition
of the catalase-catalysed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide.

2.2 – Background Knowledge:

An alcohol is defined as a class of organic compounds characterised by one or more hydroxyl (-OH)
groups attached to a carbon atom of an alkyl group (or a hydrocarbon chain). Below is the structure of
an ethanol molecule (the type of alcohol found in most beers):

Figure 1: The structural formula of ethanol

1
An enzyme is a globular protein which speeds up the rate of a chemical reaction by lowering the
activation energy. The activation energy is the certain level of energy required in order for the chemical
reaction to proceed. Enzymes are not consumed by the reactions and therefore can be reused. The
molecule the enzyme reacts with is called the substrate, which binds to the active site on the enzymes
surface. This creates an enzyme substrate complex, and after the reaction occurs, the enzyme will detach
from the products.

Figure 2: An illustration of an enzyme and the substrate

In this investigation, the enzyme in focus is catalase, and the substrate is the hydrogen peroxide
molecule. Alcohol acts as an inhibitor to the catalase-catalysed decomposition of hydrogen peroxide:
the inhibition process is known as competitive inhibition (or non-competitive?). Competitive inhibition
is when the inhibitor (alcohol) is structurally similar to the substrate (hydrogen peroxide) – so the
inhibitor directly blocks the active site of the enzyme (catalase). If the inhibitor successfully attaches to
the active site of the enzyme, then the chemical reaction (decomposition of hydrogen peroxide) will not
be able to take place.

Figure 3: An illustration of the mechanism of competitive inhibition

2.3 – Variables:

Independent Variable: Concentration of alcohol (mol/L) (±)

Dependent Variable: Volume of oxygen evolved (ml) (±)

Controlled Variables:

Type of Controlled Explanation (how it is kept constant)

Variable
Concentration of I will obtain the hydrogen peroxide solution from the same source to ensure
hydrogen peroxide that the concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution is kept constant.
solution
Concentration of I will obtain the catalase solution from the same source to ensure that the
catalase solution concentration of catalase solution stays the same.
Type of animal liver For this, I will use one (insert animal name) liver and blend it, and I will use
used this solution for all of my experiments.
Temperature of the I will conduct the experiments in the same location in an air-conditioned
environment room which will keep the temperature of the environment constant.

2
2.4 – Pilot study:

As the most suitable concentration of hydrogen peroxide solution and catalase solution to use was
unknown – I had to use and test different concentrations of both solutions to determine the most suitable
concentration for my experiment. I noticed that when I initially mixed the hydrogen peroxide solution
with catalase solution, bubbles were produced rapidly and the volume of oxygen produced could not be
contained by the syringe - so a hydrogen peroxide solution with lower concentration was used.
Moreover, different animal livers were tested, which included ? liver, ? liver and ? liver. I wanted to
see which type of liver produced the most consistent results (similar oxygen volume evolved) – and I
found that ? liver produced the most consistent results. Various concentrations of alcohol were tested
as well, and after finding out the least concentration of alcohol that completely inhibited the reaction
(no oxygen evolved), I decided on using 6 equal increments with the lowest concentration at 0. (CHECK
GRAMMAR)

3: Procedure

3.1 – Apparatus:

1) 5× 250ml conical flask

2) 1L of 1M hydrogen peroxide solution
3) 1 pig liver
4) Blender/mortar + pestle
5) A bottle of catalase solution
6) Gas syringe
7) Clamp stand
8) Clamp
9) Bung
10) Glass delivery tube
11) 4× Measuring cylinder (25ml)
12) 1L of distilled water
13) 1L of 1M ethanol solution

3.2 – Photograph of set-up:

3.3 – Methodology:

1)

Bibliography:

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/305075.php
https://www.britannica.com/science/alcohol/Structure-and-classification-of-alcohols