Conclusion:

1. List and describe three factors that could possibly affect catalase activity.
Amount of catalase, speed of the stir stick, and the pressure valve.
2. Why is it important that cells contain catalase?
It is important that cells contain catalase since i​t speeds up a reaction which breaks down
hydrogen peroxide, a toxic chemical, into a harmless substance--- water and hydrogen.
3. Based upon your experimental results, write a paragraph discussing the relationship
between environmental conditions and enzyme function.
Temperatures that are high cause the enzymes to denature or unfold. Colder temperatures affect
the enzymes activity but is less likely for the enzyme to denature.
4. High fever can be a very dangerous condition for anyone, as it is an indicator of a serious
infection. Based on this project, suggest a possible explanation for this medical concern.
A high fever can overheat the body and cause the enzymes in the body not to operate well.
5. Amylase is an enzyme that has the ability to break down starch, a polysaccharide, into
smaller disaccharides. In the last project, you saw that two types of amylase function in the
human digestive system, salivary amylase and pancreatic amylase. Salivary amylase and
pancreatic amylase are released by two accessory organs of the digestive system. In what
structures do the enzymes actually chemically digest food?
In the mouth and small intestine.
6. Each enzyme functions in a different area of the body, but both work to harness the
power in carbohydrates and break these complex molecules into simple sugars. Based on
the information you have learned about the digestive system, what do you expect to be the
optimal pH for the enzymatic action of pancreatic amylase?
The optimal pH is 6.9. The pancreatic amylase is a hydrolase secreted by pancreas and will go
into the alimentary canal. The working environment has a pH of 6.9. So the optimal pH for the
enzyme needs to be 6.9.