Potato Enzyme Lab

It is important that all cells perform chemical reactions at a swift pace. In order for the cells to perform certain reactions rapidly, they must acquire protein catalysts, known as enzymes. An enzyme contains an active site, where the binding of the substrate occurs. Thus, forming an enzyme substrate complex, where substrate molecules are brought together and aligned. Now that the substrate is aligned, the activation energy is reduced and the chemical reaction may continue at a fast pace with a normal body temperature. If an enzyme is not completely used up during a completed chemical reaction, then the enzyme will isolate itself from the product of the substrate and can now freely bind to another substrate. Enzymes control processes by bringing about reactions. If an enzyme loses it’s unique shape or structure, also known as denaturation, the enzyme

will also lose its function within the cell (Areda). Enzymes control metabolic reactions by speeding up the rate of reactions. Enzymes have seven main properties: “most are proteins, they are highly specific, they form an enzyme substrate complex, they do not affect the direction of a reaction, they lower the activation energy, they are not consumed in the reaction, and they are often highly regulated” (Areda).

The Enzyme Lab is designed to help students learn about, observe, and investigate the various environmental states such as pH and temperature, and how they affect the rate of enzyme activities.

The factors that were investigated in the enzyme lab were specificity of substrate, concentration of substrate and enzyme, pH of reaction solution, and temperature of reaction solution.
Hypothesis
Experiment I: Effect of Different Substrates on the Rate of Enzyme Reaction
As the enzymatic activity increases in the presence of substrates of catechol and resourcinol, then the intensity of the color will also increase because enzymes, such as the potato extract, works better with specific substrates, such as catechol and resourcinol.
Experiment II: Effect of Substrate Concentration on the Rate of Enzyme Reaction
As the amount of the substrate, catechol, increases and the amount of deionized water decreases, then the intensity of color will also increase because increasing the amount of the substrate will heighten the activity of the fixed amount on an enzyme, taking it a longer time to convert the substrate into the

product.
Experiment III: Effect of Enzyme Concentration on the Rate of Enzyme Reaction
As the concentration of enzyme increases, then the intensity of color will also increase, because increasing the amounts of enzymes will increase the rate of color reaction.
Experiment IV: Effect of pH on the Rate of Enzyme Reaction
As the pH becomes more acidic, the enzymes will work more efficiently, because these high optimal temperatures allow the enzymes to work faster and more efficiently.
Experiment V: Effect of Temperature on the Rate of Enzyme Reaction
As the temperatures increase, above optimal temperatures, then the enzyme activity will intensify the color in the product because enzymes prefer high temperatures where they do work more efficiently.