Science Projects

Measuring Enzyme Activity: Yeast Catalase

Summary

Areas of Science

Chemistry

Difficulty

Time Required

Average (6-10 days)

Safety

Adult supervision is recommended for this project.

Credits

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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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MLA Style

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 21 May 2022.

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

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