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Virtual Enzyme Lab and Directions
Virtual Enzyme Lab and Directions
Honors Biology
Virtual Lab: Enzymes and Reactions
For the processes of life (such as breathing and digestion) the body carries out thousands of
biochemical reactions every second. Many of these reactions require the help of enzymes.
Enzymes are proteins that speed up the rate of chemical reactions.
Enzymes are organic catalysts. A catalyst is a chemical that controls the rate of a reaction, but
is itself not used up in the process. Reactions that are accelerated due to the presence of enzymes
are known as enzyme-catalyzed reactions.
Enzymes are proteins that accelerate chemical reactions but do not change in the reaction.
Enzymes help molecules to undergo chemical changes, to form new substances called products.
The substrate is the substance that the enzyme acts upon.
For example, amylase, an enzyme found in saliva, helps break down complex starch molecules
(substrates) into smaller sugar molecules (products).
Each substrate fits into an area of the enzyme called the active site. This fitting together is often
compared to a lock-and-key mechanism. Enzymes speed up the rates of reactions by bringing the
molecules together in the correct orientation and by lowering the activation energy required to
start the reaction.
Purpose: In this investigation you will determine the effects of substrate concentration and pH
on the rate of a reaction. We will examine the enzyme lactase to investigate how these factors
affect the rate of an enzyme-catalyzed reaction.
Millions of people suffer from an enzyme related condition called lactose intolerance. Lactose
is a disaccharide that is commonly referred to as dairy sugar or lactose. In normal individuals
who drink milk, their digestive system produces lactase which breaks down the sugar lactose in
to two monosacharides—glucose and galactose which can be used by the body. In a person with
a lactose intolerance, there is not enough of the lactase enzyme produced to break down the
substrate lactose. When this individual eats lactose, it cannot be broken down in their digestive
tract. This leads to discomfort, cramps, bloating and diarrhea.
1. Go to my Biology website and open the Virtual Enzyme Lab. This is located in the links
section. Or type the following :
http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/virtual_labs/BL_11/BL_11.html
2. Watch the video about enzyme action by clicking on the pic of the monitor.
3. Follow the instructions on the next page to complete the virtual lab.
4. Answer the questions on the Lab Worksheet. TYPE or use Blue or Black ink with
COMPLETE SENTENCES.
Problem: How does the amount of lactose (substrate concentration) and pH affect the rate
of the breakdown of lactose?
Hypothesis:
If there is a higher concentration of lactose then______________________________________
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Experiment:
Table 1: Record your data on the number of product molecules formed per minute
obtained from the virtual lab.
# Product Molecules/minute at:
Amount of pH 3 pH 5 pH 7 pH 9 pH 11
Substrate
(Lactose)
0.5 g
1.0 g
2.0 g
4.0 g
8.0 g
1. If you haven’t done so already, click the “graph” button on the virtual data table. In the
graph you created:
2. What substrate amount was required to achieve the maximum reaction rate?
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3. At what pH level did the maximum reaction rate occur? How many molecules per minute
were produced?
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4. Why was there no increase in the reaction rate with 8 g of substrate as compared to 4 g of
substrate? Hint: think about the lock and key analogy.
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5. What would you need to add to see an increase in the reaction rate with 8.0 g. of
substrate?
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6. Which of the following would interfere most with the ability of an enzyme to catalyze a
reaction? Examine your data to answer this!
a. Reduced amount of substrate available (number of grams of substrate)
b. Reduced concentration of product available (# of molecules/min produces)
c. Increased amount of substrate available (number of grams of substrate)
d. A change in the pH
7. Which of the following statements is accurate in describing the activity of the lactase
enzyme?
a. Lactase can function equally effectively at many different pH levels
b. The shape of lactase does not change during the reaction
c. Lactase is converted to glucose and galactose by the reaction
d. One lactase enzyme can catalyze many reactions
9. The maximum rate of this reaction is 350 molecules product/minute. List two changes
you could make in the experimental conditions or variables that would increase this
reaction rate. Explain why each change you listed will increase the reaction rate.
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11. Feedback mechanisms regulate the rate of enzyme activity, effectively “turning off” an
enzyme in a reversible way until more product is needed. Which of the following would
be most effective as a feedback mechanism?
a. Reduced concentration of product
b. Increased concentration of substrate
c. A change in pH
d. Temporary binding of a non-substrate molecule in the active site
16. Why is enzyme activity similar to, but not exactly like, a “Lock” and “Key”?
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