The Effect of Temperature on an Enzyme's Ability to Break Down Fat

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The Effect of Temperature on an Enzyme's Ability to Break Down Fat

Aim:

To investigate the effect of temperature on an enzyme’s (lipase)

ability to break down fat.

Hypothesis:

The graph below shows the rate increasing as the enzymes get closer to

their optimum temperature (around 35 degrees Celsius) from room

temperature. The enzyme particles are moving quicker because the

temperature increases so more collisions and reactions occur between

the enzymes and the substrate molecules.

After this the graph shows the rate decreasing as the enzymes are past

their optimum temperature (higher than). They are getting exposed to

temperatures that are too hot and so the proteins are being destroyed.

The shape of the molecules is changing and so the enzyme molecules can

no longer fit into the gaps in the substrate that they need to and

therefore the enzymes have de – natured and can no longer function as

they are supposed to and cannot do their job correctly.

Changing the temperature:

Five different temperatures could be investigated. Water baths were

used to maintain a constant temperature. Water baths were set up at 40

degrees, 60 degrees and 80 degrees (Celsius). Room temperature

investigations were also carried out (20 degrees). Using a Bunsen

burner, tripod and beaker of water 100 degrees could also be tested

and 0 degrees was tested by using ice. (I didn’t investigate the 80

degrees temperature).

Fair test:

Below is a list of things that were kept the same throughout the

investigation:

Volumes of lipase and milk (by using syringes); volumes of

phenolphthalein and sodium carbonate (using pipettes); (best volumes

from the preliminary work were used). Each temperature was repeated

three times to get a good average. The milk and lipase were

equilibrated to the right temperatures before the lipase was added to

the milk.

Equipment list:

Test tubes were used to hold the milk, the lipase and the milk and

lipase solutions. Test tube racks were used to hold the test tubes

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