Measuring Enzyme Activity: Yeast Catalase
Areas of Science |
Chemistry |
Difficulty | |
Time Required | Average (6-10 days) |
Safety | Adult supervision is recommended for this project. |
*Note:
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Abstract
Yeast contains an enzyme, called catalase, that acts as a catalyst for the reaction that breaks down hydrogen peroxide into oxygen and water (2H2O22H2O + O2). Safety note: oxygen is a highly reactive gas, adult supervision recommended for this project. For your background research, be sure that you understand substrate, catalyst, reaction rate, catalase, enzyme saturation and protein denaturation. Use a solution of 3% H2O2 for the substrate. Construct an apparatus that allows you to collect and measure the oxygen gas produced (for a description, see: An Aerobic Exercise: Yeast Metabolism with and without Aeration). Here are some questions you might try to answer with your project: What evidence do you have that the gas you are collecting is oxygen? How does the reaction rate depend on the amount of substrate? At what substrate concentration does the reaction show evidence of enzyme saturation? How does the reaction rate depend on temperature (try increments of 10°C)? At what temperature does the reaction show evidence of protein denaturation? How does the activity of yeast catalase compare to catalase from potato extract or liver extract? How does it compare to the activity of iron oxide? (Gardner, 1999, 97-99; Hamamah, 2005)Bibliography
- Gardner, R., 1999. Science Projects About Kitchen Chemistry. Berkeley Heights, NJ: Enslow Publishers.
- Hamamah, A. A., 2005. How Do Substrate Amount, Temperature, pH, Enzyme Amount, and Inhibitor Affect Catalase Activity? California State Science Fair 2005 Project Summary. Retrieved January 18, 2006.
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Science Buddies Staff.
"Measuring Enzyme Activity: Yeast Catalase." Science Buddies,
20 Nov. 2020,
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p040/chemistry/measuring-enzyme-activity-yeast-catalase.
Accessed 27 Jan. 2021.
APA Style
Science Buddies Staff.
(2020, November 20).
Measuring Enzyme Activity: Yeast Catalase.
Retrieved from
https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science-fair-projects/project-ideas/Chem_p040/chemistry/measuring-enzyme-activity-yeast-catalase
Last edit date: 2020-11-20
Experimental Procedure
For this science project you will need to develop your own experimental procedure. Use the information in the summary tab as a starting place. If you would like to discuss your ideas or need help troubleshooting, use the Ask An Expert forum. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions and offer guidance if you come to them with specific questions.If you want a Project Idea with full instructions, please pick one without an asterisk (*) at the end of the title.
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