Effecting Enzymes: Effects of Temperature and pH on Reaction
An enzyme is a biological catalyst that speeds up chemical reaction rates. This experiment studied the reaction rate of the alpha-amylase enzyme on a starch solution. I used two enzyme control mechanisms, pH and temperature, to determine the optimal conditions needed for alpha amylase to efficiently break down starch. The absorbance of starch in my experimental reactions was measured using a spectrophotometer. With the resulting data, bell curves were constructed that clearly defined the optimum pH as well as the optimum temperature needed for this reaction. This experiment proved expected results even though it contained a few correctable flaws. The outcome of this experiment yields the information needed to determine the best conditions for the enzyme alpha-amylase to efficiently break down starch molecules. Biological catalysts support nearly all of the chemical reactions needed to maintain homeostasis. These catalysts are known as enzymes. They are found throughout the body including all of the tissues and body fluids. Enzyme activity is depended upon by almost every important life process. Chemical reactions include a transition state in which bonds are broken and molecules are chan . . .
The enzyme-substrate complex then breaks down and releases the product. Starch is a major component of many natural foods (fruits, vegetables, breads, grains, etc. To lower this activation energy, enzymes catalyze a reaction to speed the rate at which the products are formed. I recorded all of the absorbancies read over the designated times in hopes of finding a trend as well as the optimum pH for this reaction (Fig. This is dependent upon a solution’s concentration; therefore, using the spectrophotometer permits us to calculate concentrations. To find the optimum temperature and the optimum pH for this starch-enzyme reaction, I used the formula: Reaction Rate = ½ ΔAbsorbance . The blank was inserted into the spectrophotometer and adjusted to zero absorbance. DISCUSSION These two values, 55◦C and pH 5. Spectrophotometer measures the amount of light that a substance absorbs. Molecules come in contact more frequently and the initial velocity increases if the temperature of the system is higher than that of the optimum. When this happens, the enzyme can no longer convert the substrate into products which in turn reduces the initial velocity of the reaction. This does not mean that enzymes are permanent.
Common topics in this essay:
MATERIALS METHODS, INTRODUCTION Biological, Reaction Rate, , Fig1 Fig2, starch solution, optimum ph, optimum temperature, reaction rate, starch molecules, bell curve, temperature reaction, break starch, initial velocity, alpha-amylase enzyme, break starch molecules, optimum temperature reaction, reaction rate alpha-amylase, alpha-amylase break starch, results data collected, |