Skip to main content
Biology LibreTexts

Investigation: Enzyme and Substrate Concentrations

  • Page ID
    26999
  • This page is a draft and is under active development. 

    \( \newcommand{\vecs}[1]{\overset { \scriptstyle \rightharpoonup} {\mathbf{#1}} } \) \( \newcommand{\vecd}[1]{\overset{-\!-\!\rightharpoonup}{\vphantom{a}\smash {#1}}} \)\(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \(\newcommand{\id}{\mathrm{id}}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\) \( \newcommand{\kernel}{\mathrm{null}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\range}{\mathrm{range}\,}\) \( \newcommand{\RealPart}{\mathrm{Re}}\) \( \newcommand{\ImaginaryPart}{\mathrm{Im}}\) \( \newcommand{\Argument}{\mathrm{Arg}}\) \( \newcommand{\norm}[1]{\| #1 \|}\) \( \newcommand{\inner}[2]{\langle #1, #2 \rangle}\) \( \newcommand{\Span}{\mathrm{span}}\)\(\newcommand{\AA}{\unicode[.8,0]{x212B}}\)

    How Does Concentration Affect the Reaction Rates of Enzymes? 

    Objectives:h2o2 lab 1.png

    • to observe enzymatic reactions and quantify and products created in those reactions

    • to determine the effect of substrate and enzyme concentration rates of reaction

     

    Background information:

    Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a common but poisonous by-product of cellular metabolism, but H2O2 does not accumulate in cells because it is decomposed into water and oxygen gas. The decomposition of the hydrogen peroxide is facilitated by catalase, an enzyme present in most cells.

    The reaction is: 2H2O2→ 2H2O + O2

    One molecule of catalase can catalyze the decomposition of approximately 4 x 107 molecules H2O2 per second! Catalase is stored in special vesicles of the cell called peroxisomes. 

    In this lab activity, you will be using yeast catalase to observe how increasing and decreasing the concentration of the enzyme and substrate can affect the reaction rate.

     

    Materials:

    • Hydrogen Peroxide 3%
    • 4 beakers or cups for H2O2 dilutions
    • 5 small cups for yeast dilutions
    • Graduated cylinders
    • Filter paper and hole punch
    • Forceps
    • Stopwatch or timer
    • Active dry yeast

     

    Create your stock catalase solutionh2o2 lab 2.png

    1. Dissolve 1 tsp (2-4 grams) of yeast in 200 ml of warm water.  
       *This solution may already be made for you.

    2. Mix well and let sit for about 3 minutes

    3. Stir gently to keep solution and yeast mixed. 

     

    Observation of Catalase Activity

    1. Pour 80 ml of H2O2 into a small beaker. 

    2. Cut a filter paper disk using a hole punch

    3. Use forceps to soak a the punched disk in your stock catalase

    4. Place  the disk into a beaker with H2O2Observe what happens to the disks when dropped into peroxideIf nothing happens you may need to troubleshoot your experiment. Try stirring your catalase solution or dipping the disk in the H2O2 to break the surface tension. If you are still not seeing anything happen, consult your instructor.

    5. Perform this procedure again and record the time it takes for the disk to drop and then raise to the surface. Perform multiple trials to perfect your technique. Convert all readings to seconds to take an average.  Place your data in the first column of the data table.   

     

    Effect of Substrate Concentration

    The H2O2 started at 3%. You will now dilute the peroxide in order to change its concentration.

    1. Place 40 ml of H2Ointo a new beaker. Add 40 ml of water.   H2O2 concentration = 1.5%

    2. Place 20 ml of H2Ointo a new beaker. Add 60 ml of water.   H2O2 concentration = .75%

    3. Place 10 ml of H2O2 into a new beaker. Add 70 ml of water.   H2Oconcentration = .375%

    4. Perform the floating disk procedure for each concentration.  You can do multiple trials at the same time.

    Time

    3% H2O2

    1.5% H2O2

    0.75% H2O2

    0.375% H2O2

    Trial 1

     

     

     

     

    Trial 2

     

     

     

     

    Trial 3

     

     

     

     

    Average

     

     

     

     


    5. Create a graph that compares the averages for each concentration. (Be sure to label your axes.) 

                             h2o2 lab 3.png


    6.  Based on your data, how does the concentration of the substrate affect the enzyme reaction rate?  Suggest a REASON for these results.  

     

    Effect of Enzyme Concentration

    Your stock solution of catalase is your 100% solution. Create diluted solutions according to the ratios below and place each in small cups. These cups will be used to dip your filter paper disks.

    1. 100% = 20 ml of catalase + 0 ml of water
    2. 80 % = 16 ml of catalase + 4 ml of water
    3. 60% = 12 ml of catalase + 8 ml of water
    4. 40% = 8 ml of catalase + 12 ml of water
    5. 20% = 4 ml of catalase + 16 ml of water

    1. Perform the floating disk procedure for each concentration. 

    Time

    100% catalase

    80% catalase

    60% catalase

    40% catalase

    20% catalase

    Trial 1

     

     

     

     

     

    Trial 2

             

    Trial 3

             

    Average

             

     

    2. Use your data to make a CLAIM that answers the question: How does the concentration of the enzyme affect the reaction rate.

    3. Provide EVIDENCE for this claim by briefly summarizing your data or observations.

    4. Suggest a REASON for your claim. This is where you consider what scientists understand about enzymes  and how enzymes and substrates interact with each other. Your reasoning can include sketches. 

     

    Synthesis

    10. A competitive inhibitor attaches to the active sites of enzymes. Discuss how inhibitors would change the rate of the reaction rate of catalase. Create a model (drawing) to support your claim. 

    11. Sketch an experimental set-up that you could use to test the effects of temperature on reaction rates. Annotate your drawing with descriptions so that a reader can clearly understand your design. Consider your variables and what you will be measuring. 

    12. The beginning of this lab lists two objectives. Summarize what you have learned in this lab to accomplish those two objectives. 

     

     

    Teacher notes:

    To save time, I make catalase solution about 20 minutes before the lab, this also gives the yeast time to become active. Beakers work best for the hydrogen peroxide because you can see the disks on the bottom (clear plastic cups can substitute).  Dixie cups or medicine cups work for peroxide dilutions.   

    Students observe that not all their tests are the same. I usually discuss why biological experiments are messy and inconsistent. Some note that the color of the yeast solution varies from top to bottom and that it might matter how far you dip your disks in and how long you keep them there.  


    Investigation: Enzyme and Substrate Concentrations is shared under a not declared license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by LibreTexts.

    • Was this article helpful?