Enzyme Catalase Lab
Introduction: Cells are constantly building and breaking down molecules. The cell
can do these processes more efficiently by using enzymes. Enzymes
are proteins that act as catalysts and help speed up chemical
reactions in the cell without being altered themselves. However,
enzymes are very selective and will only work on certain substrates.
Today we will look at how the enzyme, catalase, works. Catalase is
used to break down hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a poisonous substrate
that is produced by your cells, into harmless water and oxygen gas.
The presence of catalase can be determined by observing the oxygen
bubbles that are formed in the reaction.
The reaction is: 2 H2O2 ----> 2 H2O + O2
Essential Question: What foods contain the enzyme catalase?
Hypothesis: If a food contains catalase, then a chemical reaciton will be observed. (What
did you see that proved the presence of catalase in the living cells?)
Materials: ● 4 test tubes
● Test tube rack
● Hydrogen peroxide
● Raw Chicken liver
● 1 Potato
● 1 Carrot
● 0.1g Yeast
● Timer
Procedure Part 1: 1. Use a pipet to place 2 mL of hydrogen peroxide into each test
tube.
How does catalase react? 2. Add a piece of liver to the test tube. Push it into the hydrogen
peroxide with a wood stir stick.
3. Use a ruler to measure the height of the bubble column at the
end of the reaction. Record the measurement (in cm) in the data
table.
4. Repeat the steps above for the rest of the materials.
Procedure Part 1 First you wash the glassware, and then measure 2 ml of
hydrogen peroxide in the test tubes. After that, you add the
Summary and Safety Review independent variable to each test tube. Then, you stir the
contents and measure the bubbles.
Summarize the procedure in your own words (2-3
sentences) and identify the key safety procedures
you will have to follow for this lab. This must be
checked off by Ms. Dreiske before you can begin.
Data Table Part 1
You may want to make this table in google Height of bubble column (cm)
sheets so that it is easier to make your graph.
Just copy and paste your information from Liver 10 cm
google sheets here if that is the choice you make.
Carrot 1 cm
Potato .5 cm
0.1 g 6 cm
yeast
Graph
Create a bar graph using google sheets to
compare the height of the bubble column (in
cm) of the different items. Make sure to
label both axes (with labels) and include a
descriptive title
Need help making a graph? Watch this video
on how, here:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1GqYI3sLcfu2m5
TajpsDDknHrCTye57i8/view?usp=sharing
Questions:
1. Describe the relationship between catalase and hydrogen peroxide.
Indicate which is the enzyme, which is the substrate and what occurs
during the reaction.
Catalase is the enzyme and hydrogen peroxide is the substrate, the
enzyme breaks it down into two products.
2. Which tissues do you think contained high amounts of
catalase? How could you tell?
I think that the liver and the yeast contained the most catalase
because they had the highest reaction.
3. The liver is considered a detoxifier in your body. Explain what
this has to do with the amount of catalase present in the liver.
This means that the Liver is better at breaking down things, so it
contains more enzymes.
Part 2: What affects You will choose one variable (temperature, pH, concentration) to determine
how it affects the function of catalase in living systems.
Catalase function?
Essential question: How does temperature affect catalase function?
Hypothesis: (If ______, then ______ format)
If the liquid is hot, then the reaction will happen sooner
Materials and safety: Temperature and Catalase Procedure:
List the materials you used for this
experiment and any safety procedures used 1. Put a piece of liver into the bottom of a clean test tube and
to conduct this lab experiment safely. cover it with a small amount of water. Place this test tube in a boiling
water bath for 5 minutes.
2. CAUTION: Use a test-tube holder for hot test tubes. Remove
the test tube from the hot water bath, allow it to air cool for 2
minutes, then pour out the water. Pour 2 ml of hydrogen peroxide in
the test tube. Measure the height of the bubble column
3. Put a piece of liver into the bottom of a clean test tube and
cover it with a small amount of water. Place this test tube on ice for 5
minutes.
4. After 5 minutes, pour 2 mL of hydrogen peroxide into the test
tube and observe the reaction. Measure the height of the bubble
column
Data Table: Data Table:
Must have a data table drawn before you
can begin.
Temperature Height of bubble column (cm)
cold 12, slowly
hot 15, quick
Graph (Made using google sheets)
.
Experimental Model
(Model of the experiment that includes
procedure steps):
You will do this in your notebook and
then take a picture and paste in this
section of the lab.
Conclusion If the temperature increases, then the Catalase activity also increases
because it allows it to react easier. The evidence shows that the lower the
● At least 5 sentences long
○ If the _____ temperature, the slower the reactions. In the graph, you can see this as well.
This is because if an enzyme gets too hot or cold, it will denature. We did
(increases/decreases) then
not wait the 5 minutes before adding the hydrogen peroxide, so this may
catalase activity
have affected our results.
(increases/decreases)
because ________
○ The evidence shows that
_________
○ In the graph, it shows
_________
○ The reason _______
happens is because
________
○ Something that happened
that may have affected
the results is _______
● Uses (CER)
Claim-Evidence-Reasoning
● Includes any sources of error that
may have affected the results
(Ex. human error)
