Comparing the Reaction Rates Between Potato and Hydrogen Peroxide Against Liver and Hydrogen Peroxide Through Loss in Mass

Comparing the Reaction Rates Between Potato and Hydrogen Peroxide Against Liver and Hydrogen Peroxide Through Loss in Mass

Background information:

Catalase is an enzyme that is found in all cells. This means that it

is an intracellular enzyme. And enzyme is a biological catalyst. A

catalyst is some thing that speeds up a reaction without being changed

itself. Because of this enzymes and catalysts can be used again and

again. Enzymes are protein chains that have a primary, secondary and

tertiary structure. Their primary structure shows the order and types

of amino acids used to form the protein chain. The secondary structure

shows the basic folding of the protein and is held in place by

hydrogen bonds. The tertiary structure shows a more complex folding

which gives it its globular shape. The tertiary folding of the enzyme

also gives it its active site. The active sit of an enzyme is the part

of the enzyme that determines what the enzyme will react with. If this

active site is destroyed in any way the enzyme is said to be denatured

and will no longer work. Certain things affect the reaction rate of a

substance where an enzyme is used. The concentration of the reactant

will affect the reaction rate. If there is a strong concentration of

reactant or catalase then there will be a faster reaction rate than if

the concentration was weak. Also, the higher the temperature of the

substance the faster the reaction rate will be. This also applies to

the surface area of the cells containing the catalase. If the cells

have a large area the reaction rate will be very fast. This is because

more catalase will be exposed to the reactant and this will mean that

more products are being made in a short amount of time. However if the

cells have a small surface area then the reaction rate will be slow

because less of the enzyme will be accessible to the product and

therefore fewer products will be made in a certain amount of time.

Catalase reacts with hydrogen peroxide to form water and oxygen in the