Catalase Lab Report

The purpose of enzymes, also known as protein molecules, is to aid in the conversion of reactants to products by catalyzing the chemical reaction. In the experiment conducted in the BZ 310-L06 laboratory the enzyme catalase, which converted hydrogen peroxide into the products water and oxygen, was analyzed. The catalase enzyme was subjected to varied substrate concentration, inhibitors, and varied temperatures to determine the effects of the environment on the enzyme’s ability to function. The enzyme was first observed in a trial with a controlled environment where the hydrogen peroxide concentration was 30%, at room temperature, and without inhibitors present. This trial allowed a baseline measurement for catalase’s function as an enzyme.

First, the researchers began with a trial run of the catalase reaction at the initial substrate concentration, without inhibitors present, and at room temperature. Then each environmental factor was isolated and tested independently of one another to determine how each factor was altering the performance of the catalase. The purpose of the research method was to be able to determine at which substrate concentration did catalase catalyze the reaction the best, then with or without inhibitors did catalase catalyze the reaction the quickest, and finally at which temperature did catalase perform optimally. The role of the enzyme catalase is to prevent cell damage by removing hydrogen peroxide from the cell and therefore it is crucial to determine how the enzyme functions and understand the environment that allows catalase to perform its role in the cell sufficiently. (Koral Tasci, S et al.) The research hypothesis for the optimal environment of catalase is that catalase would perform optimally at a high substrate concentration that was below saturation, with inhibitors present, and at a temperature of 37 degrees Celsius. The hypothesis was based on the idea that catalase must be functioning inside the human body at all times in order to prevent cell damage, and therefore catalase’s optimal environment should be similar in conditions to that of the human