CHINHOYI UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

SCHOOL OF HEALTH SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

NAME : MORGAN BILLIATI
LEVEL :1.2
REG NUMBER :C22151080D
PROGRAM : BIOTECHNOLOGY
MODULE : ENZYMOLOGY AND IMMUNOLOGY
LECTURER : MR MAZADZA
Practical Report:1

Title: Manipulating enzymes using potato catalase.

Abstract
Another factor that affects the rate of chemical reactions is temperature. The temperature can rise
or fall beyond a certain threshold, denaturing the reaction and slowing down the reaction rate. This
experiment tested the hypothesis that increasing temperature slows down chemical reactions. Catalase
at different temperatures was used to test how temperature affects the rate of chemical reactions.
Experiments have shown that as temperature increases, the rate of chemical reactions slows down.
For example, the average chemical reaction rate at room temperature is fastest, while the average
chemical reaction rate at boiling temperature is very slow This result supports the hypothesis that
increasing temperature slows down chemical reactions.

OBJECTIVES
* To be familiar with effects of temperature on enzyme activity.
To demonstrate the activity of an enzyme in living tissues.
* To observe the effects of changes in temperature on the activity of catalase* To learn the procedures used
in manipulating of enzymes.
INTRODUCTION
Enzymes are biological catalysts that increase the rate of chemical reactions by lowering the Activation
energy. They are large protein or RNA molecules and are highly specific for chemical reactions.
Hydrogen peroxide slowly decomposes in light to oxygen and water. This reaction
can be accelerated by adding enzyme catalase.Hydrogen peroxide is a harmful substance, so to break down
this substances into the harmless molecules water and oxygen. The organelle responsible for the
destruction of hydrogen peroxide is the peroxisome using the enzyme catalase. Both plants and animals
have peroxisomes with catalase. This reaction is important for cells because hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is
produced as a byproduct of many normal cellular reactions. If the cells do not break down the hydrogen
peroxide, they will be poisoned and die. Enzymes denature under certain conditions. Enzymes lose
their correct shape and become denatured when they no longer function. Things that can denature
enzymes include high temperatures, extreme pH levels, heavy metals, and alcohol. In this catalase and
hydrogen peroxide experiment, we will discover how enzymes can act as catalysts and make chemical
reactions occur faster in living organisms or break down other substances.
Catalase accelerates the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water.

MATERIALS
20 ml of Hydrogen Peroxide (diluted at 3%)
, 3 Potatoes
,4 Glass Beakers (medium size 100 ml)
, Kettle
, Ice bath
, 1 Gas syringe
,1 Timer , Thermometer (Celsius)

METHODOLOGY

To start this experiment, 3ml of diluted hydrogen peroxide was poured into a test tube. 3 potatoes cut
into 4 equal pieces. Then we soaked 3 pieces in ice water for 10 minutes, boiled another 3 pieces
for 10 minutes and kept the remaining 3 pieces at room temperature. Divide 3 potatoes into 4 equal
parts to get 12 equal parts. The first 4 pieces are placed in an ice bath for 7 minutes, The
remaining 4 pieces put in boiling water for 7 minutes , and the last 4 were kept in a beaker at room
temperature for 7 min. 5 ml of hydrogen peroxide is poured into one of the 4 beakers. The 3 potatoes
in each cup were cut into 1x1cm (1 piece each) and we put 1 piece from each in separate
cups.
The amount of peroxide is added to completely submerge the potatoes. The air cup is covered as
soon as possible to limit the amount of outside air enter. Each cup is timed until bubbles stop
forming. Steps 7 and 8 were repeated 2 more times to obtain fully detailed results.

RESULTS
 Boiled potatoes had almost no bubbles. This is because the heat breaks down the catalase enzyme,
making it unable to handle the hydrogen peroxide.The frozen potato should have fewer air bubbles
than the room temperature sample. This is because lower temperatures reduce the ability of the
enzyme catalase to break down hydrogen peroxide. Room temperature potatoes produced the most
foam, as catalase works best at room temperature.

DISCUSSION.
The factor affecting the rate of chemical reactions is temperature. The temperature can rise or
fall beyond a certain threshold, denaturing the reaction and slowing down the reaction rate. This
experiment tested the hypothesis that increasing temperature slows down chemical reactions.
Experiments have shown that as temperature increases, the rate of chemical reactions slows down.
For example, the average chemical reaction rate at room temperature is fastest, while the average
chemical reaction rate at boiling temperature is slowest. This result supports the hypothesis that
increasing temperature slows down chemical reactions. In the beaker with boiled potatoes had almost
no bubbles. This is because the heat breaks down the catalase enzyme, making it unable to handle the
hydrogen peroxide.The frozen potato should have fewer air bubbles than the room temperature sample.
This is because lower temperatures reduce the ability of the enzyme catalase to break down
hydrogen peroxide. Room temperature potatoes produced the most foam, as catalase works best at
room temperature.

CONCLUSION
The enzyme catalase acts as the catalyzing enzyme in the decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Nearly all
living things possess catalase, including humans.This enzyme, like many others, aids in the decomposition
of one substance into another. Catalase decomposes, or breaks down, hydrogen peroxide into water and
oxygen.

RECOMMENDATIONS
The test setup is generally satisfactory to minimize errors, with the exception of some errors such
as the method of measuring the reaction rate. It is suggested that more research should be done in the
design of the experimental protocol.

REFERENCES
Brian S Shendan,Leo lefrancois (2012) , Current protocol's in immunology
Selamawit Debebe ( 2014),
Ethiopia Public Health Training Initiative, The Carter Center, the Ethiopia Ministry of Health, and
the Ethiopia Ministry of Education, Alemaya University : Alemaya

W Shi ,Yaning Wang ,Chunpan Zhang(2020). International Immunopharmacology : isolation and

purification

Spring 2014 , Pre Lab Reading Assignment,General Bio I lab #6 Enzymes ,8th edition,page 160 167