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Question about project Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions— What Affects Their Rates?

Posted: Mon Oct 30, 2017 11:13 pm
by deleted-512926
I'm encountering the trouble is that my filter paper does not sink and rise in the hydrogen peroxide solution though my catalase solution is extremely concentrated, what should i do ? I really appreciate if you can give me some advice, thank you so much.

Re: Question about project Enzyme-Catalyzed Reactions— What Affects Their Rates?

Posted: Wed Nov 01, 2017 8:53 pm
by SciB
Hi Stephenie,

Sorry you are having problems with the catalase enzyme reaction rate project (https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... #procedure). I'll see if I can troubleshoot for you.

You said that your paper did not sink in the peroxide solution, so of course you could not measure the time it took to rise. Did you see bubbles form on it instantly? Maybe your catalase is too concentrated. Here is what the instructions said to do if the paper rose too quickly (or maybe if it did not sink at all):

"If it takes less than 15 seconds to rise, add 30 mL (2 tbsp.) of cold distilled water to your catalase solution, stir, and repeat steps 12 b to h. You may need to do this multiple times, adding cold distilled water until the filter square takes more than 15 seconds to rise."

Try wetting another piece of filter paper with just cold distilled water and see if that sinks into the peroxide. If the paper still floats you should get a different kind of coffee filter. Maybe there's something about the filters you have that make them float on water.

Post again and let us know what happened with the filter paper test.

Sybee