Biology Assessment Task 1 - Enzymes

Introduction
Proteins are large, complex molecules that
play many critical roles in the body.
[Structure of protein seen in figure 1]They
do most of the work in cells and are
required for the structure, function and
regulation of the body’s tissues and organs.
Proteins assist with repairing and building
your body’s tissues. It drives metabolic
reactions, maintains pH and fluid balance,
and keeps the immune system strong. It
also transports and stores nutrients and can
act as an energy source. Enzymes are
proteins that act as biological catalysts by accelerating chemical reactions. The molecules upon
which enzymes may act are called substrates, and the enzyme converts the substrates into
different molecules known as products [as seen in figure 2]. The function of an enzyme is to
speed up metabolism, or the chemical reactions in our bodies. They build some substances and
break others down. All living things involve enzymes.

Enzyme function is highly dependent on various factors, including pH, temperature, and
concentration of both the enzyme and substrate. Each enzyme has an optimal pH range at which
it functions most efficiently. Changes in pH can disrupt the enzyme's structure, leading to
denaturation and loss of activity. Enzyme activity is also highly dependent on temperature, with
each enzyme having an optimal temperature range. As the concentration of either the enzyme or
substrate increases, the reaction rate will also increase until a certain point where the rate will
level off due to saturation. Overall, controlling the conditions in which enzymes function is
crucial to maintaining their proper activity and ensuring the proper functioning of biological
processes in living organisms.

[figure 2 showing the process of an enzyme]

Aim
The purpose of this experiment is to measure and observe the relationship between enzyme
activity and temperature, pH and concentration.

Hypothesis
1. If the temperature increases, so will the reaction rate.
2. The higher the pH level, the quicker the reaction will occur.
3. If the potato core is larger, the bubbles will rise higher

Risk Assessment

Risks Prevention

Slipping

Bioproducts

Glass

Potato Corer

Water Bath

Acid

Tripping

Glass, bio products, hot water, potato corer, glassware, water(slip), water bath(heat),
Variables
 ● Identify the variables for each of the three experiments:
o Independent variable
o Dependent variable
o List of controlled variables and how they were controlled.

Control
● Identify the experimental control for each of the three experiments and explain why it
was necessary.

Methods
Temperature Experiment
METHOD:
1. 8 test tubes were added to test tube rack
2. The junket tablet was crushed with a mortar and pestle
3. The crushed junket tablet was dissolved in 8mL of distilled water
4. Put 2mL of the solution into 4 different test tubes
5. Put 20mL of milk into all 8 test tubes
6. Fill 4 beakers with water of varying temperatures (0 degrees, 20 degrees, 40 degrees, 80
degrees)
7. Place one test tube with the junket tablet and milk and one test tube with milk only in the
beaker filled with 0 degree water.
8. Record how long it takes for the test tubes to react
9. Move the test tube approximately every 30 seconds
10. Stop timer after 10 minutes
11. Repeat for each of the temperatures

Concentration Experiment
METHOD:
1. Put 6 test tubes into a test tube rack
2. Add 1 mL of dish soap into each 6 of the test tubes
3. Add 3 mL of hydrogen peroxide into each of the test tubes
4. Use a cork borer to cut potatoes of 3 different lengths (1cm, 2cm, 3cm)
5. Add the potatoes to 3 of the test tubes
6. Leave the test tubes to react for 5 minutes
7. Record the height of the bubbles after 5 minutes

pH Experiment
METHOD:
 1. Put 8 test tubes into a test tube rack
2. Add 5mL of starch into 8 test tubes
3. Add 5mL of iodine into each test tube
4. Add 4 drops of buffer solution into the appropriate test tubes (2 test tubes with 2pH, 2 test
tubes with 4pH, 2 test tubes with 7ph and 2 test tubes with 10pH)
5. Gently mix solutions in their respective test tubes
6. Add liver to each of the buffer solutions
7. Record how long it takes for a reaction to occur
8. Stop recording after 10 minutes and record the results into a table

Results
● Results should display table and graph for experiment 1, followed by table and graph for
experiment 2, and table and graph for experiment 3.
● Graphs should include:
o Title
o Appropriate units
o Labeled axis
o Scale

Concentrating experiment
1-.5
2- 1
3- 1
(Can’t remember what this is for. All I know is that it is results x)
Enzyme Results
(results from miss woodward LOL)

pH Results
pH With Liver (time taken Without Liver
mins)
2 6 -
4 1 -
7 3 -
10 10 -

graph go here for exp 1

Concentration Results
Amount of potato Measurement of bubbles (cm)
 1cm 2 (slower reaction time)
2cm 4
3cm 7 (quicker reaction time)

graph go here for exp 2

Temperature Results
Time take (minutes)
Temperature (°C) Rennin and milk (test tube Milk only (test tube B)
A)
0 - -
20 9 -
40 2 -
80 7 -

graph go here for exp 3

Discussion
● One discussion for all three experiments.
● Explanation of whether the results were expected or not and why.
● State whether each of the hypotheses were supported or not.
● 2 corrections or changes that could occur in any of the experiments.
● Explanation on the impact of temperature, concentration, and pH on proteins and
enzymes structures.
● Clear links between background research and results.

Conclusion
● Relate back to the aim of the experiment.
● Brief summary of the experiment and results.