Measuring Enzyme Activity: Yeast Catalase *

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 [accessed January 18, 2006] http://www.usc.edu/CSSF/Current/Projects/J0406.pdf.

Cite This Page

General citation information is provided here. Be sure to check the formatting, including capitalization, for the method you are using and update your citation, as needed.

MLA Style

APA Style

Last edit date: 2017-07-28

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.

Ask an Expert

The Ask an Expert Forum is intended to be a place where students can go to find answers to science questions that they have been unable to find using other resources. If you have specific questions about your science fair project or science fair, our team of volunteer scientists can help. Our Experts won't do the work for you, but they will make suggestions, offer guidance, and help you troubleshoot.

Ask an Expert

Related Links

• Science Fair Project Guide
• Other Ideas Like This
• Chemistry Project Ideas
• My Favorites
• Chemistry Safety Guide

If you like this project, you might enjoy exploring these related careers:

Looking for more science fun?

Try one of our science activities for quick, anytime science explorations. The perfect thing to liven up a rainy day, school vacation, or moment of boredom.

Find an Activity