Horseradish Peroxidase Experiment

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The purpose of conducting an experiment using various temperatures, pH levels, and enzyme concentrations was to observe the effects these factors had on the rate of horseradish peroxidase activity. Furthermore, testing how peroxidase reacts to different set ambient conditions and finding the conditions that allow for maximum rates. Enzymes are used in this experiment to demonstrate the importance of certain environmental conditions since they affect the speed of an enzymatic reaction in order to carry out life. An extract from horseradish is used as the enzyme since it contains peroxidase which has a highly accessible active site. The experiment was administered by using a spectrometer as a tool to measure oxygen production using an indicator called guaiacol which would allow the rate of horseradish peroxidase activity to be seen. Environmental circumstances, such as enzyme concentration, temperature, and pH, are tested by using guaiacol as an indicator of oxygen production and H2O2 as an oxygen producing agent. The ending results conclude that higher enzyme concentration can increase the speed of the rate of enzyme activity. The results also conclude …show more content…

Enzymes are used to carry out reactions in a rapid manner otherwise the reaction would occur very slowly thus not being able to sustain life. Enzymes bind to a substrate that is specific to their task and then conforms into a product that is needed; the enzyme is then able to catalyze more of the same reaction. Enzymes and substrates act as a lock and a key since enzymes are made for a specific substrate and is able to form an enzyme-substrate complex (Department of Biology). Thus changes of the shape of an enzyme can inhibit its ability to catalyze a reaction. If the enzyme shape is alternated due to environmental conditions, it is denatured and can no longer act as a catalyst. Peroxidase is the type of enzyme used in this

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