MPA 9 Effect of temperature on enzyme action

The enzyme catalase acts on the substrate hydrogen peroxide and produces water and oxygen. Yeast solution or celery juice can be used as a source of catalase.

The pH is kept constant throughout the experiment by using pH 7 buffer. Mix together chopped celery and water and place in a test tube in a water bath at 25 degrees C. Place Hydrogen peroxide in a graduated cylinder with pH 7 buffer in the water bath. Leave both solutions for 10 minutes. 

Add the celery extract solution to the hydrogen peroxide and record the volume of foam produced by oxygen after 10 seconds as a measure of the reaction rate. Repeat the experiment at different temperatures using different waterbaths. 

The optimum temperature produces the largest volume of foam in the same time. At higher temperatures the enzyme is denatured and at lower temperatures the enzyme moves slowly and does not collide with the substrate with the same frequency.