Need Help With create a projet

[deleted-385662]

In the beginning I wanted to do a project on what factors can change the way the enzyme pepsin works. As I furthered my research I learned that there have been multiple studies done on how temperature and different concentration can affect the reaction of pepsin. So as I carried on trying to find a project, I thought of testing to see which protein bars will digest the slowest and most efficient. But I learned that for my science project I can't do brand testing and I don't know how I could collect data from that test. I am in desperate need for help, I want to do a project with pepsin since I already know so much about it. If anyone has any websites or other experiments I could read and maybe get a better Idea or If you have any Ideas, Please help!!!


Sincerely, Haley

[norman40]

Hello Haley,

There are several projects on this website related to enzymes. None of these involve pepsin but you may be able to modify one of the projects to fit with your interests.

Because enzymes act as catalysts, reaction kinetics is the topic of many projects with enzymes. Here are some examples:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p011.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p019.shtml

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... i&s=enzyme


And other projects involve properties or uses of enzymes. Some examples are:

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... ml#summary

https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p018.shtml


I hope this helps. Please pos again if you have more questions.

A. Norman

[deleted-385662]

If I wanted to could I home make different protein bars using different types of butters and see if the butters have an effect on the function of lipase. Since lipase breaks down fats. Would that be possible could I test that?

[norman40]

Hi Haley,

Good idea! Testing the function of lipase with protein bars made with different kinds of fat could be a good experiment and very interesting science project. Or you could apply the same idea to the pepsin experiment you mentioned in your first post.

One challenge is to find a way to measure the amount or rate of fat “breakdown” by the lipase in the protein bars that you would make. Although I’m not aware of a way to make this measurement,
I did find a fairly easy way to test lipase activity in a liquid that contains fat (like milk):

http://www.nuffieldfoundation.org/pract ... ity-lipase

This test may not work for solid materials like protein bars. But you could use it to test different fats in liquids. So you could measure and compare the rate of breakdown of for vegetable oils or solid fats that can be emulsified in water.

You may want to post your question in the “Life, Earth, and Social Sciences” section of the forum as the experts there have more experience with biology projects. One of the contributors there may have better ideas for the kinds of lipase activity tests that may be available.

I hope this helps. Please post again if you have more questions.

A. Norman