Enzyme Catalase: The Key to Hydrogen Peroxide

Overview

Objectives/Goals In my science fair project, I want to determine whether the change in temperature will have a positive or negative effect in the decomposition reaction between hydrogen peroxide in the presence of the enzyme catalase. Both animal and plant enzymes will be tested and compared. Methods/Materials Distilled water, refrigerator, coffee filters, ice chest, ice cubes, hammer, raw potatoes, graduated cylinder, scale, blender, thermometer, hydrogen peroxide 3%, pork liver, test tubes Results Testing was done at the following temperatures: 5°C, 19°C, 23°C, 38°C, 44°C and 55°C. Three trials were completed at each temperature for both animal and plant enzymes. I conclude that the enzyme catalase works the best at 38 degrees C. The graphs on my board will indicate my results for all the temperatures that were tested along with the averages for each. Conclusions/Discussion From my testing, I concluded that my hypothesis is partially correct. The time that it takes for catalase to break down hydrogen peroxide does decrease when the temperature rises, but the act of decreasing stops when the hydrogen peroxide reaches a certain temperature. The reaction time will differ as the temperature is changed, but the best result for both the plant and animal enzyme was close to the human body temperature of 38°C. The chemical formula for the whole reaction is 2H2O2 + catalase -> 2H2O + O2. Hydrogen peroxide is the substrate that fits with catalase and catalase breaks the molecule apart then releases water and oxygen.

Awards (1)

• Honorable Mention

Competition history

• CSEF 2015 Biochemistry/ Molecular Biology · Entry J0513

Resources

• CSEF project summary ↗

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