Lab #4: Enzyme Action

Tuesday 15th November 2022

AIM:

To investigate the action of an enzyme

APPARATUS/MATERIAL:

Tongs, Beaker, Bunsen Burner, Test Tubes, Test Tube Stand, Knife, Tissue Paper, Splint, Lighter,
Volumetric Cylinder, Mortar & Pestle, Potato, Hydrochloric acid, Hydrogen peroxide, Water

DIAGRAM:

PROCEDURE:

1. Four pieces of potato were cut to roughly 1 cm³..

2. Four test tubes were set up with each containing 2 cm³ of hydrogen peroxide solution.
3. One cube of potato was put into the first tube.
4. Another cube was boiled in water for about 2 minutes, cooled and then added to the second
tube.
5. Another cube was crushed and added to the third tube, a glowing splint was placed at the
mouth of the test tube.
Lab #4: Enzyme Action

6. 2 cm³ of hydrogen peroxide solution and 1 cm³ of concentrated hydrochloric acid was put
into the fourth test tube and the last piece of potato was added to it.
7. A table was drawn up showing all the recorded observations.

RESULTS:

Whole Tissue Boiled Tissue Crushed Tissue Tissue with Acid

some bubbles no bubbles, enzyme large amount of enzyme (protein)

(protein) denatured bubbles (most out of all denatured, no bubbles,
the tissues), glowing potato floated
splint got bright

33.71+ 33.70 3
Average Volume Used: =33.71c m
2

DISCUSSION:

Titration is a method of chemical analysis in which the quantity of certain components in a compound is
determined by adding to it an exact amount of another substance with which that component reacts in a
specific, known proportion. An indicator is a substance that gives a visible cue, such as a change in color,
of the presence (or absence) of a chemical variety, such as an acid or alkali in a solution. The purpose of
the phenolphthalein indicator in this experiment was to indicate the point at which the neutralization
reaction occurred (Neutralization Point).

(Volume of Acid: 5cm3 / Moles of base: 0.2mol / Moles of acid: 0.2mol / Concentration of base: 0.24dm -3)

Relevant Balanced Equation: NaOH(aq) + HCl(aq) > NaCl(aq) + H2O(l)

// To calculate the volume of the acid: FinalVolume of Solution−Initial Volume of Solution

// To find the amount of moles of the base (NaOH), we divide mass by molar mass:

8
=.2 mol NaOH
40
Lab #4: Enzyme Action

// To find the amount of moles of the acid (HCl), we simply look at the mole ratio, and since it is 1:1 the
amount of moles would be the same as NaOH which is .2 mol

mass
// To find the concentration of the base (NaOH) the formula is used. In this case the average
volume
volume of the titration was used (33.71cm3):

8
=0.24 d m−3
33.71

SOURCES OF ERROR:

▪ Not taking readings at the meniscus and at eye level

▪ Not stirring the solution during reaction
▪ Not removing the air bubbles in the burette between tests
▪ Not zeroing the electronic balance
▪ Not tearing the mass of the container used to find mass of NaOH

PRECAUTIONS:

▪ Read results at eye level or from the meniscus

▪ Constantly stir the solution during reaction
▪ Remove air bubbles in the burette between tests by emptying out all the HCl and re-adding it
to the burette
▪ Zero the electric balance before weighing NaOH
▪ Tear the weight of container before adding NaOH

REFLECTION:

Volumetric analysis has many real-life applications, pharmacists use it to get the proper mix
when compounding medicines; it is also used to get the necessary proportions in intravenous (IV)
drips. It is necessary in ensuring the correct amount of anesthesia is being used throughout the
duration of a surgery into recovery or when being used to anesthetize lab animals for tests.
Certain types of fish (especially those in saltwater environments) are extremely sensitive to the
conditions of their aquariums. Titration is used to evaluate the water in both fresh and marine
life aquariums. The pH levels, as well as the concentrations of other elements including ammonia
and nitrates are tested and balanced out to the necessary levels for survival. (I had a betta die
due to ammonia buildup in the water, information like this would have been helpful).

CONCLUSION:

The concentration of the solution of sodium hydroxide is 0.24dm -3.